How much do you think you know about dental implants? A group of researchers recently conducted a study to learn about general public awareness and knowledge about implant treatment.
The purpose of the study, published recently in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was to identify misconceptions about dental implants. Two groups of patients at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry were studied – the first was at the school for dental implant placement, the second was seeking general dental treatment.
Those patients preparing for dental implants were, of course, more knowledgeable than those who were not. The study proves that there is still a lot of misunderstanding about what the procedure involves. Here are a few of the more common myths the researchers identified.
Misconception 1: Dental implants are made of porcelain
Fact: This is partially true because the restoration, or visible part of the implant, is usually porcelain. However, the implant gains its strength because it is made of titanium, a safe, biocompatible material that has been used in joint replacements for decades.
Misconception 2: Dental implants are new and untested
Fact: Dental implants have been widely used in the US for decades and in that time have enjoyed a success rate of about 95%.
Misconception 3: Only a specialist can place an implant
Fact: Most dental schools today offer implant education. There are always exceptions, but the majority of implant placement procedures can be done in a dentist's office using local anesthesia.
Call Your Pike Creek Dentist with Implant Questions!
We agree that patients need to be well-informed about dental implants because the more informed you are about a particular procedure, the better the ultimate outcome.
If you live in Wilmington, DE and would like more information about dental implants, please call us. Dr. Mark Gladnick is highly knowledgeable and experienced in dental implant placement and restoration and will be happy to answer all your questions.
