Missing a tooth affects more than your smile. It changes how you chew and lets neighboring teeth drift, and over time the jawbone in that spot shrinks. Dental implants are one of the most common ways to replace a missing tooth, but a lot of outdated information still keeps people from asking about them. At All Smiles Dental in Burley, these are six myths patients often bring up, along with what is actually true.
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root. Over a few months, the bone fuses to the post in a process called osseointegration, and a custom crown is attached on top.
Which dental implant myths should you stop believing?
1. Are dental implants extremely painful?
Most patients describe implant placement as less uncomfortable than they expected. The area is numbed with local anesthetic, and sedation options are available for anxious patients. Soreness for a few days afterward is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and soft foods.
2. Are you too old for dental implants?
There is no upper age limit for implants. Overall health, healing ability and the amount of jawbone available matter far more than your birthday. Many patients in their 70s and 80s are good candidates, while uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking can raise the risk of complications at any age.
3. Will a dental implant look fake?
A well-planned implant should blend in with your natural teeth. The crown is shaped and color-matched to the teeth beside it, and because it rises from the gumline like a real tooth, most people can’t tell which tooth was replaced.
4. Do implants need special care?
Implants can’t get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can still become inflamed. That condition, called peri-implantitis, is a leading cause of implant failure. Brushing twice a day, flossing or using a water flosser, and keeping regular cleanings protect an implant the same way they protect natural teeth.
5. Are dental implants too expensive to be worth it?
Implants often cost more up front than a bridge or denture, but the comparison changes over time. A bridge requires reshaping the healthy teeth on either side, and dentures typically need relining or replacement as the jaw changes. Cost depends on how many teeth are replaced, whether bone grafting is needed and the type of restoration. Some dental insurance plans cover part of the treatment, so ask for a written estimate.
6. Do you need perfect jawbone to get an implant?
Bone loss doesn’t automatically rule you out. A bone graft can rebuild thin areas before an implant is placed, though it adds healing time. For patients missing most or all of their teeth, implant-supported dentures attach a full arch to a small number of implants and can sometimes work with less bone than individual implants.
Where can you get dental implants in Burley?
The dental offices below serve patients in the Burley area. Services vary from office to office, so ask each one directly about implant treatment.
- All Smiles Dental
- Seasons Dental
- Burley Family Dental
- Spring Creek Dentistry
- All Valley Dentistry
1. All Smiles Dental
All Smiles Dental is led by Dr. Spencer Rice, a Burley native and second-generation dentist who earned his dental degree from Midwestern University’s Arizona College of Dental Medicine. The practice places dental implants and offers implant-supported dentures, along with the related care many implant patients need, such as tooth extractions, crowns, bridges and traditional dentures. Sedation options are available for patients who feel nervous about dental visits, and the office serves families across the Burley and Twin Falls area.
2. Seasons Dental
Seasons Dental is a dental office on Overland Avenue in Burley. Contact the office to learn which services it offers.
3. Burley Family Dental
Burley Family Dental is a dental practice on Parke Avenue in Burley. Reach out directly for details on its services.
4. Spring Creek Dentistry
Spring Creek Dentistry is a dental office located on Overland Avenue in Burley. The office can explain what types of treatment it provides.
5. All Valley Dentistry
All Valley Dentistry is a Burley dental practice on Parke Avenue. Ask the office about its current services.
Is a dental implant right for you?
The surest way to separate myth from fact is a consultation and exam. A dentist will look at your bone with X-rays or a 3D scan, review your health history and explain whether an implant, bridge or denture fits your situation. Before you decide, ask about the full timeline from extraction to final crown and request a written estimate you can compare.