If you have recently run into some trouble with your teeth, dental implants may be one solution you are considering. While implants can be a great option for many people, they are a big investment. Typically, you will spend a sizable amount of both time and money on the procedure. Before making the decision to move forward with a dental implant, make sure you know what to expect. The best way to do this is by asking your dentist or oral surgeon. Here are some questions to get you started:

1. What Is the Purpose of a Dental Implant?

When you first inquire about dental implants Brooklyn, find out as much as you can about why someone should get an implant. If your damaged tooth is still healthy, you may have different options. People choose dental implants as a way to replace permanent teeth that experience permanent loss. 

2. What Are the Alternatives?

Dental implants offer patients the one of the most long-term solutions to their tooth loss woes, but other procedures might also help. Root canals are one option some patients may have, depending on the advancement of a tooth’s decay. In addition to bridges, other patients consider dentures to address tooth loss.   

3. What Does the Process Look Like?

Getting a dental implant takes some effort. You can expect to visit your oral surgeon several times before and after the procedure. In the beginning, you will attend an initial consultation where your dentist will outline the expectations for your implant. After that, you will undergo at least two surgical procedures. During the first, the surgeon will remove your old tooth. Once it heals, you will return for him or her to place the implant.

4. What Can I Expect During Recovery? 

Recovery can take a long time. For the first phase of tooth removal, you can expect to spend at least several months healing. After your jaw heals from the tooth extraction, you will then have to heal from the implant placement. Healing from implant placement can take several more months. During this time, your teeth can be sensitive, but the pain should be manageable. 

5. Who Should Not Have Dental Implants?

While implants can be a good choice for many people, they are not for everyone. Examples of some poor candidates for implants include children with underdeveloped jaws and people who are prone to gum disease and other mouth-related health concerns.

If you have been thinking about getting a dental implant, there are many questions worth asking. It is not a small investment, and you should not take it lightly.