If you’ve ever considered undergoing an implant-based restoration then it pays to have a good understanding of tooth implants pros and cons. In doing so it gives you all the information you need to be able to make the right decision about replacing your missing tooth or teeth. Here’s what you need to know…
Tooth implants pros and cons – The disadvantages
It’s important to remember that not every dental treatment is the right solution for every patient and dental implants are no exception. Even though they remain the gold standard treatment for missing tooth replacement, they do have their disadvantages. Disadvantages that include…
Dental implant surgery
It’s important to remember that a dental implant represents a permanent and stable structure in the mouth. Therefore, unlike any other type of missing tooth replacement, getting a dental implant involves undergoing dental implant surgery.
So, even though securing a tooth implant into the jaw is – on the whole – a quick and comfortable process, patients will need to ensure that they are physically and medically fit enough to undergo a minor operation.
As a result, anyone who for whatever reason can’t undergo a short surgical process may need to look at alternative options.
Timely results
While missing teeth restorations such as dentures and bridges take a couple of weeks to complete a dental implant procedure typically takes 4-9 months. As a result, patients expecting a quick-fix solution may be disappointed. That said, dental implants are a significant step up from any other tooth restoration and the long-term benefits in terms of the quality of life they can offer, are well worth the wait for most patients.
Initial cost
Perhaps the biggest hurdle for many patients considering dental implants is the initial cost. If you think about it, getting a dental implant involves a lot of planning, implementation and aftercare, all of which needs to be paid for. The good news, however, is that most dental practices now offer payment plans meaning that you shouldn’t have to pay the entire cost upfront. Instead, patients can pay for most dental implant procedures over a series of weeks or months making it a more affordable option.
Ultimately this makes your decision more about the long-term benefits of a tooth implant vs more traditional methods and less about the initial costs involved.
So know you know about the disadvantages of getting dental implants, it’s only right that we talk about the many benefits.
Tooth implants pros and cons – The advantages
The closest thing to missing teeth
While all restoration methods are designed to mimic the aesthetics and functionality of missing teeth in some way, there’s nothing that does it better than a dental implant. A tooth implant, for example, is the only form of restoration that mimics a natural tooth root. So when placed into the jaw during dental implant surgery the surrounding bone tissue fuses with it. This creates a super-strong platform that, when topped with a crown, should restore almost all of your natural biting and chewing ability.
Ultimately this means that patients no longer need to avoid certain food types because of their inability to chew. Instead, they can make healthy eating choices if they prefer.
But that’s not all…
Once a dental implant is placed, it becomes a natural part of the mouth – a permanent structure that remains in position. Patients, therefore, won’t need to worry about having to remove it at night or whether it will stay in position. Instead, they simply maintain it, just as they would their natural teeth with regular brushing and flossing.
Preventing bone loss
One of the main issues with tooth loss is that it triggers off a whole series of events that can result in the demise of other teeth. One of those events is bone loss.
When a tooth is lost or extracted, the bone tissue that served to support the tooth root is no longer needed. Consequently, it gets reabsorbed back into the body. Unfortunately, this can result in the jaw losing up to 25% of its density in the first year alone, leading to sagging facial skin and an aged appearance.
Sadly, conventional tooth replacements like dental bridges or dentures do nothing to prevent bone loss and this is the reason why they have limited longevity.
Conversely, because dental implants are anchored directly into the jaw during dental implant surgery, they can restimulate bone tissue. As a result, bone loss is halted altogether.
Longevity
Finally, dental implants have been proven to last for many years. In fact, the very first dental implants were placed into the mouth of a Swedish patient back in 1965 and were still going strong right up until his death in 2006 some 40 years later. While this might not be typical of every situation, we can say with some certainty that a dental implant can be expected to last for 20 years or more with the right care.
On the flip side of this, the typical life span of a conventional denture or bridge is just 7-10 years (mainly for the reasons listed in the section above). Therefore, it may need replacing on more than one occasion during your lifetime. So while the cost of getting dental implants may be more initially, it’s highly likely that you will save money over time.
As you can see, while there are some initial factors to consider when getting dental implants, the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages. This is why more and more people are opting for dental implants to replace missing teeth as they represent a good investment, not only in your oral health and wellbeing but in your overall quality of life.
If you would like to find out more about tooth implants pros and cons or whether dental implants are right for you, then come and talk to the No Gaps Dental group. With 50 experienced dentists spread across 15 clinics in and around Sydney, we can help you to make the right choice.
Book a consultation at a No Gaps dental practice by calling us on (02) 8806 0227 today and start your journey towards a healthier smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.