Are full-arch dental implants worth the risk?

Are full-arch dental implants worth the risk?

It’s a common question and a valid one, especially considering that full arch implants are a major and life-changing procedure. The short answer is generally yes, but it depends—as what is worth the risk to one person may not be to another. But before we elaborate more on the specific factors, it helps to understand the common fears around getting a full-arch implant. 

Here are a few of the most common things that may be giving you pause when considering a full-arch implant:

·        Risk of dental implant failure

·        Damage to surrounding tissue or bones

·        Possibility of infection 

Despite these fears, full-arch dental implants have historically been considered a safe and effective procedure for restoring a normal experience to adults who are missing full rows of teeth. In fact, full-arch treatments have been used successfully for over 55 years and are designed to last a lifetime if cared for properly. 

Regardless, there are still potential risks, which it helps to understand when evaluating whether full-arch implants are right for you. 

Risk of Implant Failure:

Thanks to the modernization of dental implant practices and the popularity of the procedure over the decades, dental implants have a high success rate. In fact, according to a study of 184 patients over the course of a 36-month period, dental implant success rates were 93% six months after the treatment, which increased to 97.5% after 36 months with a 95% confidence rate. 

While many factors such as age, gender, and underlying health conditions contribute to the success of implant treatments, studies consistently place success rates between 95%-98%, affirming the effectiveness and trustworthiness as a viable solution for the 35 million Americans missing their upper and/or lower teeth.    

Bone or Tissue Damage:

The same study above also tracked the soft tissue health and bone density of each patient. When studying the soft tissues around the site of the procedure, “normal soft-tissue profiles were reported around the implants with improvement in all areas at the 1-year follow-up visit.” 

In terms of bone density, over 90% of patients experienced no bone loss at all or bone loss of less than 1%! Full-arch implants by design are made to work in harmony with the human body and while there are risks present, the evidence backs them up as a safe solution.  

Possibility of Infection

Another fear that you might have when learning about full-arch implants is the possibility of infections around the operation site. While this is not common, it can happen. Luckily, there are ways that you can mitigate the risk. 

Here are a few:

·        Follow all post-operation instructions given by your surgeon 

·        Be diligent with your oral hygiene before, during, and after the procedure

·        Do not partake in activities that may negatively affect the healing process 

The possibility of infections varies depending on your lifestyle and the condition of your mouth prior to the surgery, but with proper care, the risk can be nearly eliminated.

The Key to Eliminating Most Of The Fear:

A certain level of anxiety is perfectly natural given the scope of the procedure and how transformative it can be. The single best thing you can do to relieve your fear is to find the right dental implant specialist. Working with an experienced team will give you peace of mind in knowing that you are being treated by experts who have successfully helped people just like you get back the smiles of their dreams. 

One of the many things we do at New York Dental Implants to help you feel confident about your future smile by showing you exactly what it will look like with the use of our Digital Smile Design system. This revolutionary technology lets you see your smile as it will look after the full-arch implant before any work is done. This allows us to work with you during your free consultation to design the smile of your dreams that is as beautiful and brilliant as you are.  

In Summary:

In summary, while there are risks associated with full-arch implants (as with any surgery), they are safe and proven procedures to help you restore your natural and beautiful smile. With New York Dental Implants, you can feel secure imagining the brilliant smile and brighter future that awaits you.