Missing teeth can affect both your self-esteem and your physical health. Fortunately, cosmetic dental implants can offer you a lifelike appearance and a natural smile. Although implants are known for their outstanding durability and 95% success rate, they do come with risks. If you’re considering cosmetic dental implants, here are five risks to be aware of.
Infection
As with most medical procedures, infection from bacteria is a risk during surgery and healing. You can reduce your risk by diligently following post-operative instructions and by practicing good oral hygiene. If you do notice signs of infection, seek treatment right away. Leaving an infection untreated can lead to implant failure.
Implant Rejection
In order for a successful outcome, the dental implant has to be fused to the bone. This is called osseointegration. If this does not happen, the implant is at risk of becoming loose and falling out. Rejection is not painful, but the loose implant will not be able to support false teeth.
Oral Injury
Your surrounding teeth, blood vessels, or jaw are at risk for being injured or damaged during the procedure.
Sinus Problems
In some cases, cosmetic dental implants will cause sinus problems. Problems usually only occur when implants are placed in the back part of the upper jaw, near the sinus cavity. Placement can puncture the sinus cavity, but this is not a common occurrence.
Nerve Damage
Although rare, cosmetic dental implants can harm the surrounding nerves or tissue by damaging blood vessels nearby. Signs and symptoms of damaged nerves or tissue include numbness, swelling, or a tingling sensation.
