You must weigh up the pros and cons of dental implants before considering having dental implant surgery. Although they are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth, implants are not the right choice for everyone. Take a close look at the advantages and disadvantages of implants to determine if they are the best solution for you.
Assessing the pros and cons of dental implants
When assessing the advantages and disadvantages of a dental procedure such as dental implants, it’s essential to realise that your situation may not make you a suitable candidate.
For example, a dental implant may not be the right choice for some people because of their lifestyle or medical circumstances.
Smoking, for example, is detrimental to implants. However, while initially you may be deemed unsuitable for dental implant surgery, if you can quit the habit for the duration of treatment, a dentist may give you the go-ahead at a later date.
If, however, you have a pre-existing medical condition that could be problematic for implants, then it may be more difficult. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of dental implants.
What are the pros of dental implants?
Dental implant surgery is a serious undertaking that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Nevertheless, implants are a long-term solution to missing teeth with many benefits.
Dental implants function, look and feel like natural teeth
Once you have had your dental implant surgery to insert the implant into your jawbone and completed the procedure with the attachment of a crown (artificial tooth), it will be difficult to tell the difference between the dental implant and your natural teeth. A dental implant is not only natural-looking, but because it is firmly embedded into your jaw, it functions and acts in the same way as the teeth you were born with.
Bite, chew and eat whatever you like
One of the significant pros of dental implants over other tooth replacement options, such as dentures and bridges, is that an implant replaces as much as 85% of a natural tooth’s biting force. As a result, patients can continue eating their favourite foods, whether it be a crunchy apple, a chewy steak, or corn on the cob. Just remember that a crown can be damaged in the same way as natural teeth by crunching ice cubes or hard sweets—so don’t go overboard thinking your implant is indestructible.
Implants are easy to care for
For a dental implant to last for many long years, if not a lifetime, it must be looked after. It doesn’t take anything out of the ordinary, but you must care for it in the same way as you would your natural teeth. This entails a regular daily oral hygiene routine with twice-daily brushing and flossing, supplemented with regular dental check-ups as often as the dentist recommends.
Dental implants prevent bone loss in the jawbone
Bones remodel themselves throughout your life. Bone loss occurs around the empty tooth socket when a tooth is lost. This can change your bite and facial structure as wrinkles can form above a gap in your dentition as teeth play a vital role in supporting the facial tissues. Another of the pros of dental implants is that they prevent bone loss in the jaw by stimulating the cells in the jawbone to regenerate, keeping it healthy and strong.
Dental implants last
If you look after your dental implant, it can last for 20 years or more. In some cases, a dental implant can last a lifetime. What may seem like an expensive outlay initially can prove to be a cost-effective option if your implant lasts for many years. The crown may need to be replaced every 15 years if it becomes chipped or damaged, but this still makes an implant an economical tooth replacement solution.
What are the cons of dental implants?
In most circumstances, the pros of implants far outweigh the cons, but it’s worth bearing in mind:
The implant procedure is lengthy
One of the cons that deter some people from getting implants is the length of the procedure. First, dental implant surgery is carried out to insert the implant into the jawbone, where it is left to heal, undisturbed, for at least three months. During this time, the implant fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a solid foundation. The artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the implant during the second stage to complete the process. Overall, implants can take up to nine months to complete.
Dental implants can fail
Although the success rate of dental implants is generally high, implant failure is a possibility. This can be caused by several factors, including gum disease, medical conditions such as diabetes, poor dental hygiene, or smoking.
Before receiving the all-clear for dental implant surgery, patients have a thorough assessment to ensure their suitability and give their implant every chance of success.
Dental Implants are expensive
One of the most significant implant cons is their cost. Dental implants are a permanent, long-term solution, but they don’t come cheap. However, compared to other tooth replacement options, they may well be a cheaper option in the long run as dentures and bridges typically need replacing at least once. In contrast, a dental implant can last a lifetime with good care.
The Pros and Cons of Dental Implants Conclusion
Although there are both pros and cons, the benefits of dental implants far outweigh the disadvantages. If you are deemed a suitable candidate, they are the premier solution for missing teeth—whether it’s one, several or all of them.
Are you considering dental implants?
If you wonder whether dental implants are an option for you, don’t hesitate to contact us at No Gaps Dental. We are committed to providing you with the best dentistry options for your circumstances. We also undertake a range of precautions to protect patients from harm, including using hand sanitiser and other methods. Our team uses hand sanitiser after each procedure and patient, and we advise patients use hand sanitiser at home before touching their faces or mouths to keep infections at bay.
Contact us on (02) 8806 0227 today to find out more.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Colgate – Bone Resorption – Why It Happens and What to do Next
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/mouth-and-teeth-anatomy/bone-resorption-why-it-happens-and-what-to-do-next
Dental Nursing: Root to Success – A Guide to Implant Osseointegration
https://www.dental-nursing.co.uk/features/a-root-to-success-a-guide-to-implant-osseointegration
British Journal – Failures in Implant Dentistry
https://www.nature.com/articles/bdj.2007.74
Smile.com.au – How Much Does A Dental Implant Cost?
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/implants