Dr. Revan Dawood, a practice owner and expert in restorative dentistry, is passionate about the transformative power of dental implants. For her, the joy of gifting her patients with a durable, radiant smile through implants and other restoratives is the most enjoyable part of dentistry.
Highlighting the effectiveness of dental implants, Dr. Dawood references the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. They report a commendable success rate of over 95% for implants over a ten-year period.
"Dental implants stand out not just for their longevity but also for the quality they offer. Unlike partial dentures, which often need replacement every 2-5 years, or bridges lasting 5-12 years, implants promise a significantly longer solution for a tooth replacement option ," she emphasized.
For those unfamiliar with tooth replacement alternatives, Dr. Dawood outlines the differences between them. Partial dentures are false teeth that cover a section of the mouth, which are taken out of the mouth daily for hygiene purposes. On the other hand, full dentures replace all teeth in the mouth, but also have to be taken out daily for cleanliness. Another option is dental bridges, where three crowns are fused together with a central floating crown to replace the missing tooth; this option cannot be taken out of the mouth, but still needs to be cleaned underneath the bridge.
However, Dr. Dawood cautioned that bridges, which are more comparable to implants in terms of longevity, are not absolved from possible complications.
"Bridges come with a risk. If one part of the three part bridge fails, the entire structure needs a replacement," she said.
Walking through the implant procedure, Dr. Dawood shares, "Once a patient opts for an implant, the subsequent steps are fairly straightforward. The area is only locally numbed, and within 20 minutes, the implant is placed into the bone. Due to the absence of nerves in bones, patients typically experience minimal discomfort, akin to the sensation after eating something very hot, causing a small burn on your gums that typically resolves within a few days."
She also provided insight into post-procedure care, which she claims is not as bad as people typically think.
"Discomfort is mild and resolves within a few days. While full tissue healing over the implant takes about two weeks, followed by a three-month period for the bone to envelop the implant. During recovery, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial,” Dr. Dawood said. “It's also advisable to abstain from smoking, consuming alcohol, and using straws. Some also vouch for daily vitamin D intake to promote healing."
According to Dr. Dawood, when it comes to selecting a dentist for implants, experience is key.
"While the procedure is taught in dental schools, hands-on, consistent experience is paramount," Dr. Dawood advised. "Just like any procedure, seek out a dentist who is familiar with and frequently performs the implant procedure."
Lastly, Dr. Dawood shed light on the transformative power of implants.
"Many adults I've met endured damage to their front teeth in their childhood, impacting their self-esteem. Implants don't just restore teeth – they revitalize a person's self-confidence," she said.