The Pros And Cons Of Getting Dental Implants – Thanks to the continuous innovations and advancements in the dental industry, many solutions and treatments are being developed to foster people’s dental health. If you recently gave up a real tooth because it can no longer be salvaged, don’t fret; dental implants are now being recognized as an effective solution for situations like yours. However, before you have your family dentist perform a dental implant procedure, it’s crucial to know its advantages and disadvantages.
The initial step to take while evaluating your decision about getting an implant is to visit a reputable dental clinic, such as Grove City Dental, or seek advice from your family dentist. Nothing compares to hearing an expert’s advice and having your current dental situation checked thoroughly by them. They can help weigh out different options for you. If they do support getting a dental implant, it’s vital to be aware of their possible advantages and downsides.
Check out the pros and cons of dental implants below.
Pros
1. They Copy The Appearance Of Real Teeth
One of the perks that make dental implants the best choice for many people missing real teeth is their aesthetic advantage of appearing like natural and real ones. It’s possible that no one can ever tell you’re wearing dental implants. After your implant is fitted, your replacement tooth will look almost identical to a natural one.
You won’t even notice that you have implants. You’ll also feel as strong as your regular teeth since the implants are anchored to your jaw. Implants are the most holistic and non-invasive tooth replacement treatment available. They’re designed based on teeth’s natural size and shape. If your priority and concern are to retain your beauty and smile, getting dental implants should be on top of your list.
2. They’re Permanent And Last A Lifetime
Titanium, incredibly strong and biocompatible, is used to make dental implants. Another material also famous for being used in the dental industry is zirconia. Both of these materials have a high fracture and flexural strength, making them ideal to be used on implants. With proper care, replacement teeth attached to implants will usually last a lifetime, even though they are subject to wear and tear.
Many studies in the dental industry claim that these implants are capable of lasting the entire lifetime of the patient as long as they’re correctly maintained. And, implants also have an extremely low failure rate, making them even more popular solutions for people who want a complete set of teeth. There’s no doubt that dental implants are one of the most effective treatments available today.
3. Allow You To Eat And Drink Comfortably
Another perk of going for implants instead of dentures or other dental options is that you won’t feel any difference while eating or chewing. Due to their similarity to natural teeth, implants are almost as comfortable as natural teeth. You can even enjoy eating any food, unlike with other dental procedures wherein you’ll be restricted from munching on certain types of food. Just avoid overindulging in sugary foods and drinks, as they might lead to cavities and tooth decay.
4. Allow You To Speak Naturally
If you’re wondering whether your speech will be affected by dental implants, the answer is no. You’ll get to speak naturally as if you haven’t undergone any dental procedure at all. This may be a concern for some people who may have experienced wearing braces, retainers, or other dental devices in the past. Their dentures may have influenced or changed how they enunciate some letters or words.
Over time, they could practice improving their speech, but it requires time and effort. However, with dental implants, this isn’t the case. The implants’ posts will remain in place due to their fusion with your jaw. That means you’ll be able to speak clearly like you normally would.
5. They’re Easy To Clean And Maintain
One of the most important things to remember when having dental implants is to maintain them. Fortunately, taking care of dental implants is easy. They can be treated and cared for just like your other real teeth. Implants should be cared for like natural teeth by brushing and flossing daily, getting regular dental checkups, and eating a healthy diet.
Maintaining an implant clean and free from bacteria and plaque can ensure its longevity, preventing infection in the tissues surrounding it, leading to failure. It’s possible to lose an implant if peri-implantitis isn’t treated tenaciously.
To keep dental implants disease-free, the dental hygienist plays a crucial role. Make it a habit to visit your dentist regularly so they can continue to inspect your implants. When cleaning your teeth and implants, a hygienist will use unique gizmos made of plastic and resin for some thorough cleaning without damaging crowns, abutments, or implants.
Here are more tips for caring for your dental implants at home:
- Go for a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush your teeth at least twice daily.
- Don’t skip brushing your implant crown, especially the bottom part.
- Make it a habit to use low-abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss regularly, but go for implant-friendly floss material.
Even with these specific cleaning and maintenance requirements, implants are an excellent medical procedure. It’s only natural to treat them with extra care if you want them to last a lifetime. After all, peri-implant disease prevention is crucial to the health and functionality of implants.
6. Any Missing Tooth Can Be Replaced
Whatever tooth or set of teeth you lose, it can be possibly replaced with dental implants. From single crowns to a complete arch denture, these are the best treatment you can have to bring back your smile and confidence once again.
7. Minimize Bone Loss
In addition, implants mitigate bone loss in the jaw caused by missing teeth. The area around a missing tooth no longer receives regular stimulation and pressure from chewing, which causes the bone density to decrease. However, dental implants can help in this situation. Once dental implants are in their rightful place, your jaw and bones will get stimulated once again, and this will lead to minimized bone losses.
Your jaw and teeth support each other, and once teeth are no longer present, the bones on your jaw will be affected severely. A missing tooth may cause the bone beneath it to stop regenerating, causing it to deteriorate. Over time, your jaw might shrink or deform, severely affecting your facial features and overall appearance. Thanks to dental implants, you won’t have to experience this bone loss.
Cons
1. They Require A Long Process
One of the most significant disadvantages of getting implants is the lengthy process, which can take several months to complete. Anchors are first attached to jawbones. Fusing the implant to the bone is necessary before a new tooth can be installed. Proper healing of the bone takes approximately almost half a year. The new tooth is then screwed onto the implant.
Every patient’s dental implant journey will depend on many underlying factors, such as their healing process, the severity of tooth loss, bone damage, and many others. Trusting the process and not speeding up your dentist’s work are essential to ensure the best outcomes. And, there might be times when additional dental work is also needed because of certain issues, so you have to be utterly patient with the process
Your dentist will need to perform a bone graft if your jawbone is weak and can’t support a titanium implant. A piece of unique material in a bone graft is used to replace damaged or weakened bone. Finally, once your body accepts the graft, your implants can be supported successfully.
2. They’re Not Suitable For Everyone
The truth about dental implants is that they’re not for everyone. Sure, they’re ideal for replacing any of your teeth, but some people can’t qualify for this procedure. For instance, your jaw might not be capable of supporting the implant, or you may have an existing chronic illness that may affect the implant. Alos, if you have poor oral health, it may lead to more chances of implant failures.
You need to evaluate your current oral health first and commit to fixing the issues so you can be qualified for dental implants in the future. If you want to modify your jaw, you can talk to your dentist about the best solutions, which include bone grafting or surgery.
3. Costly
One of the most obvious downsides of dental implants is their cost. It’s not the cheapest solution to replace lost teeth with implants. Despite being the best long-term solution, they’re pretty expensive due to the process that comes with it.
Dental implants aren’t always covered by insurance. The likelihood of insurance paying more for the surgery is more significant if the replacement is due to unhealthy oral health conditions rather than cosmetic issues. However, if you just want to get an implant for aesthetic reasons, you should be ready to shell out your own money.
Also, be aware that insurance won’t cover all out-of-pocket expenses. Inquiring early is crucial so you can be prepared for all the necessary costs. Some dental clinics offer financing options or payment plans, so you can inquire and choose the best one for you.
4. You Must Meet Set Requirements
Since not everyone qualifies to have dental implants, it’s worth noting that you need to meet specific criteria before you can get dental implants. Dental implants require anchoring to your jawbone, so if you’ve lost a significant amount of bone due to losing teeth, you may not be able to have a successful procedure. In addition, you shouldn’t have any existing medical condition, such as leukemia or diabetes. Having dental implants requires good physical health, as well as a healthy jaw.
5. Require A Surgical Procedure
Dental implants require surgery, which may prevent some patients from moving forward with them. This is one famous setback why many patients hesitate to go through dental implants.
There are certain age restrictions on the procedure, even though it’s safe and effective. Patients may opt for a less invasive treatment option rather than undergoing surgery because this also requires enough recovery time. It may not be ideal for those working physically taxing jobs. If you’re not willing to sacrifice time and effort going through the entire dental implant process, you better go for the next best option.
Implant placement requires a series of minor operations on the gums and jaw. So, if you’re afraid of surgery, dental implants may not be suitable for you.
Feel free to ask questions to your dentist before agreeing to have a dental implant. Remember, it’s critical to know all the necessary details. It’s likely to have anesthesia during the procedure, but you can request a different sedation alternative if you don’t want this option. However, if you’ll have numerous implants done at once, general anesthesia would be ideal.
6. Possibilities Of Complications
One obvious downside of dental implants is that complications are inevitable. Yes, the success rate of dental implants is high, but as with any surgical procedure, there are risks, and your dentist will ensure you understand these before undergoing the procedure.
Some complications include gum infections, as well as tissue and nerve ending risks. Some teeth surrounding the implant can be affected or damaged, too. When the jaw is operated on, there are chances for your sinus to have issues as well. Choosing an experienced and qualified dentist will reduce these risks. However, anything can happen, and your health will be affected severely if you continue smoking.
Conclusion
It’s safe and reliable to replace missing or damaged teeth with dental implants, despite the risks involved. However, this article aims to inform you of both the advantages and downsides of this procedure, so you can decide better whether or not it’s an ideal choice to improve your oral health.
With dental implants, you’ll surely be able to bring back that bright smile and confidence with these real-looking new teeth. However, like any type of surgery, there are risks and threats you need to be on the lookout for. So, research thoroughly, and then show up at your dental appointment and ask for advice from your dentist.
