What do rapper Lil’ Wayne, actress Christie Brinkley and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler have in common? You might be surprised to find out that all of these individuals have benefitted from dental implants.
A dental implant is not only instrumental to one’s chewing and eating, but also contributes to a person’s aesthetic appearance. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare tells us that just over a quarter of Australians over the age of 15 feel uncomfortable about their dental appearance. Dental implants have come a long way from looking false and obvious, and these days they look so natural that they seamlessly blend in with your other teeth.
At Bay Street Dental we primarily focus on offering dental implants, but we find that our clients have a lot of misconceptions surrounding what dental implants do, as well as who can wear them. We thought we would clear up some of the most common misconceptions, once and for all!
MYTH #1 – You Can Be Too Old Or Too Young For A Dental Implant
This myth is partly correct and partly incorrect. Most dentists don’t recommend that you get a dental implant when your jaw is still growing, as it could impede jaw development and tooth growth. A permanent dental implant is usually safe once the patient has reached 14-15 years of age and jaw growth is complete. Until this age is reached, a denture can take the place of the missing tooth or teeth.
MYTH #2 – You Need To Be In Perfect Health to Get A Dental Implant
A dental implant is suitable for any adult who has lost a tooth providing there is sufficient bone. Provided a patient takes care of their teeth, and the supporting tissues are healthy, a good dentist will be able to construct an implant crown or bridge to replace missing teeth.
MYTH #3 – Dental Implants Cause Headaches
We aren’t sure where this myth originated from, but we have heard from many worried patients that the titanium in their dental implants can cause migraines. Rest assured, there is no scientific evidence that this is true. If you feel your headache is originating in your jaw, you could be experiencing TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder), you could be clenching your teeth at night, or you could have a misaligned bite – all conditions easily treated by most skilled dentists and orthodontists.
Now that you know a bit more about dental implants, you might be wondering if they are right for you. The only person who can confidently answer this question would be your dentist, so why not give them a call?
