Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Implants?

One of the hottest topics in dentistry today is the use of dental implants. Implants have revolutionized the field of replacement teeth. If you are considering tooth implants for missing teeth, you need to know the facts. The pros and cons of dental implants are carefully weighed by you and your dentist before surgery can be scheduled.

Research continually shows that dental implants are the best long-term solution to replace missing teeth. However, like any surgery, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Cons of Dental Implants

No procedure is correct for everyone, including dental implants. While there are some risks associated with dental implants, they are relatively mild. The disadvantages include:

You have to meet a set of requirements

To have dental implant surgery, you first have to meet certain criteria. As the procedure involves anchoring the implant to your jaw bone, if you’ve experienced significant bone loss as a result of losing teeth, there may not be enough for the dental implant to be successful. You also have to be in good health so your jawbone can fully recover.

The cost of the procedure

While dental implants are the best long-term solution for tooth loss, they’re not always the most cost-effective. However, dental implants are well worth the price for comfort, confidence, and the natural feel they give you.

The procedure can be lengthy

Dental implants are not a quick fix and can take several months to complete. If you’re replacing an existing damaged tooth, it will be removed first. Your dentist will then prepare the tooth site before fitting the implant anchor. Once the anchor has been fitted, you’ll wait several months while it heals and the surrounding bone grows. The final stage of the procedure involves placing the artificial tooth.

Pros of Dental Implants

While there are some drawbacks to dental implants, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

They look and feel like natural teeth

Dental implants have the appearance of real teeth. Once your implant has been fitted, you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference between your replacement tooth and your real teeth. Implants also won’t feel any different from your regular teeth. Since the implants are anchored to your jaw, they’ll feel just as strong.

You can eat and chew with ease

Unlike dentures, implants won’t feel any different than your regular teeth when eating and chewing. Once the dental implant procedure is complete, you can eat what you want! Whether you fancy crunchy snacks, chewy foods, or hot or cold drinks, you can eat and drink without concern — just remember not to overdo the sugary treats.

Dental implants can last a lifetime

Implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement solution. You may need to replace the crowns every 10-15 years, but if you look after the implants, they can last a lifetime.

They’re easy to take care of

You should take care of your implants the same way you would take care of your regular teeth with daily brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and a healthy diet.

They prevent bone loss

Dental implants are anchored into your jaw, similar to your real teeth. The screw thread of the implant acts as the root of a natural tooth, so with dental implants, your jawbone remains strong, and you won’t experience bone loss.

You can see that the advantages heavily outweigh the disadvantages. Dental implants have been proven to be a great option for people who suffer from tooth loss. We always want to make our patients look and feel great, and dental implants are a great way to do that. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call!