So you are considering dental implants as an option to replace some or all of your missing teeth. You are definitely going with a good option. There are many people who have chosen implants over dentures or other tooth replacement options and are enjoying a full and healthy smile. Even though dental implants are far more feasible and common now than they have ever been before, there are still people out there who want them but let their worries get in the way. Take a look at some of the most misguided worries about dental implants. 

Is it true dental implants have to be replaced every few years?

Obtaining dental implants can be one of the more costly dental procedures you will ever have done. Therefore, it is only natural to be concerned about how long your new teeth will last. There is a huge misconception that implants have to be replaced every few years, which would definitely mean it would be questionable if the implants were worth the expense. Thankfully, there is no merit behind this myth. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry actually says that dental implants that are placed properly and cared for the right way can potentially last a lifetime. 

Will you have to have bone augmentation before you can get dental implants?

Bone augmentation involves using bone grafts to build up areas of the jawbone where the implant will eventually be placed. This is sometimes required if a patient has sustained considerable bone loss or bone height loss and there is not enough bone to fully support the implant. Yet, not every patient will have to undergo bone augmentation to get dental implants. Subperiosteal dental implants actually do not go into the jawbone at all; they go into the gums and soft tissue. If you are getting subperiosteal implants, bone augmentation will definitely not be necessary. 

Do you have to get an implant for every missing tooth?

You actually do not have to get an implant to support every single tooth if that is not what you want to do. Some patients opt to have an implant placed that can support bridges of teeth or entire denture arches. If you are iffy about the idea of having multiple anchors placed in your jaw to support individual teeth, it can be a better idea to go a different route. Your dentist may recommend individual implants and abutments because they tend to last longer, but in the end, it is your choice whether you go that route or not. 

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