“Can tooth implants cause health problems?”
I have a missing tooth and want to replace it. I am afraid of implants. Can tooth implants cause health problems?
3 Answers
It would be very unusual for a dental implant to cause health problems. However, be sure you know which product your doctor chooses to use. Some implant companies add alloys to the titanium.
In my 33 years of experience, I have not seen any health problems cause by an implant.... and I have placed thousands.
Dental implants have a high success rate of around 95%, and they lead to an increased quality of life for many people. However, dental implants can cause complications, such as infections, gum recession, and nerve and tissue damage.
A patient's good health is the strongest predictor of a successful implant procedure. The following conditions may make it harder:
Autoimmune diseases, allergies and diabetes. People with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes heal at a slower rate, which can prevent an implant from fusing with the jawbone.
Medications. Patients should be sure to discuss their meds with the dentist, as some may also interfere with the fusing of the implant to the jawbone. Heartburn medications, for instance, interfere with calcium processing, so they may damage the ability of the jawbone to heal around the implant screw.
Gum disease. Healthy gums are a prerequisite.
Osteoporosis or osteopenia. An estimated 20 percent of women 50 or older have osteoporosis, and about 50 percent are estimated to have low bone mass, which often means a bone graft will be necessary to ensure that there is enough bone density to hold an implant in place.
Tobacco use. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums, which slows the healing process and contributes to inflammation of the gum tissue around an implant. Tobacco users have an implant failure rate of up to 20 percent.
A patient's good health is the strongest predictor of a successful implant procedure. The following conditions may make it harder:
Autoimmune diseases, allergies and diabetes. People with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes heal at a slower rate, which can prevent an implant from fusing with the jawbone.
Medications. Patients should be sure to discuss their meds with the dentist, as some may also interfere with the fusing of the implant to the jawbone. Heartburn medications, for instance, interfere with calcium processing, so they may damage the ability of the jawbone to heal around the implant screw.
Gum disease. Healthy gums are a prerequisite.
Osteoporosis or osteopenia. An estimated 20 percent of women 50 or older have osteoporosis, and about 50 percent are estimated to have low bone mass, which often means a bone graft will be necessary to ensure that there is enough bone density to hold an implant in place.
Tobacco use. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums, which slows the healing process and contributes to inflammation of the gum tissue around an implant. Tobacco users have an implant failure rate of up to 20 percent.
