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Having missing or failing teeth can be tough - it can impact so many parts of life! Michelle, a dental implant patient, experienced the struggle of failing teeth for years before she decided to change her life with dental implants. Now, having enjoyed a new smile for 4 years, she shares all the good and bad details of dental implants side effects in this candid interview.
If you’re considering dental implants, you’ll want to hear what she has to say.
*Actual NUVIA patient(s) who may have been compensated for sharing their story. Not all those who come in for a consultation are eligible for this treatment. Results may vary in individual cases.
Ready to change your life? See if you may be a candidate for dental implants with this 60-second quiz.
Unexpected Dental Implants Side Effects
As Michelle shares her experience, she outlines a few of the dental implants side effects she encountered:
The Procedure Length
While she was put to sleep with anesthesia for the procedure, her tongue did not go to sleep and gave Michelle’s doctors an extra challenge.
“I think I was under for about eight hours. It was supposed to be four or five, but my tongue was the only part of my body that did not go to sleep with the anesthesia.”
Adjustment Period
Like other patients, Michelle experienced an adjustment period as her mouth got used to her new teeth. She found that she was biting her tongue and cheeks more often and even had a slight, temporary lisp.
However, these discomforts didn’t last long. She related her experience to breaking in new shoes -
“It literally is like a pair of shoes that you buy for running and you put them on and they hurt. They're so uncomfortable. You're like, how am I ever gonna wear these? And you keep putting them on and they're like, ow, ow, ow.”
“And then one day you put them on and they're, like, so comfortable, you forget that they were ever so uncomfortable.”
As Michelle notes, the adjustment period is different for everyone.
“Totally temporary. I think it's different for everyone. It may take a little bit more time than others. I think mine was a couple of weeks.”
A Temporary Gap
Although Michelle didn’t expect to get a gap between her gums and new teeth, this is actually something that isn’t unexpected.
Not everyone will get a slight gap after some time healing, but for those that do it can be concerning.
“Originally, I was concerned with it. The dentist said everyone's different, everyone heals differently, through time. And letting myself heal, the gaps closed up… I can't even stick anything in there. The gap is gone. Very snug, comfortable.”
Michelle’s gap went away on its own as she healed. This isn’t always the case but at Nuvia, that gap is easily and quickly fixed at the 4 month follow-up appointment.
Outside of the Dental Implants Side Effects, What Were The Best Parts?
As Michelle tells her story of getting dental implants, 4 years later, her excitement about the process as well as the end result is evident.
Despite there being a few unexpected dental implants side effects, she describes getting her new teeth as “it's a dream come true”.
Here are a few of her highlights:
Permanent, Zirconia Teeth
Michelle was one of the first Nuvia patients to experience permanent teeth in 24 hours. With an upcoming wedding, she was eager to have her new smile.
“It was about two weeks after [the surgery], they called me into the office and they said, ‘we have a new technique we're gonna start doing and we would love to be able to do it for you. Would you be willing to go through this with us?’
Absolutely. What is it?
‘Well, it's teeth in twenty four hours. So we'll get you going and you come back tomorrow and you'll have your teeth.’ And I'm like, whatever. What? What is this? It's some kind of magic.”
Nuvia patients are now able to receive their permanent teeth in 24 hours after surgery. This tried and tested method of fixing permanent teeth to dental implants has transformed patient lives, the same way it did for Michelle.
Don’t put off getting the smile and oral health you’ve always wanted. See if you may be a candidate for permanent teeth in 24 hours with this 60-second quiz.
No Hidden Fees & No More Root Canals
Michelle was not a stranger to dental procedures like root canals, crowns and other dental solutions that just never seemed to be permanent.
That’s why when she did the math on dental implant cost, the choice to go through with them seemed to be a no-brainer.
“So if I actually did the math - because when you first see a substantial number, it’s kinda like, ‘oh my gosh, how am I ever gonna do that?’
But if you do the math and break down a root canal, break down a crown, break down office visits at cost, antibiotics that you have to fill because you have another infection, bridges, anesthesia, you know, whatever their numbness stuff, whatever they're using. There's no comparison.”
Curious about cost, financing, or insurance questions? Download the FREE dental implant cost guide here.
Michelle reflected on how much it cost for a single root canal years ago and how expensive it was. After having so many, she was frustrated with the cost and frequency and was ready for a real, permanent solution even if it meant a higher upfront cost for dental implants.
“[At the dentist] You're paying a little bit less each time than paying for your teeth at Nuvia… But if you add it up and then double or triple it because you have to keep doing it, there's no comparison.”
She continues to share that the cost of dental implants and the ease of the process at Nuvia was such a positive experience.
“And so when it comes to the cost, do the math…No hidden fees. No extra over here, or, ‘oh, we're gonna charge you a little bit over here.’ It was one price. That's it. You're covered.”
“You're taken care of. There is no comparison on the price.”
Her Final Thoughts
Like any big change or procedure that involves some surgery, patients may experience dental implants side effects like Michelle. Despite some of these discomforts, this is her final message to those with missing or failing teeth:
“Don't let fear and that little nagging voice inside you talk you out of it.
Go for it.
I know you can feel inside of you that you deserve it and that your wildest dreams are meant to come true, and it's just on the other side of that first phone call.
Go for it. Love on yourself.
The way you show up, the person you're meant to be, it's so much better than you can imagine.”
