Dental implants are a popular method of tooth replacement for people who have missing or seriously damaged teeth. Deciding whether to choose a dental implant or another missing tooth replacement option, such as a bridge or denture, can be difficult for people as there are many factors at play. To help you make the best decision, you should know all the teeth implant pros and cons.
Teeth Implant Pros and Cons
There are numerous reasons why dental implants may or may not suit a patient. While doing your research into the topic is helpful, you should always seek advice from your dentist. Remember, when booking your appointment, to check what the clinic’s health and safety procedures are for consultations, such as using hand sanitiser or wearing a mask.
Pro: Fantastic Functionality
When discussing teeth implant pros and cons, perhaps the biggest benefit of dental implants is their functionality. The two most significant functions that are affected by the loss of natural teeth are chewing and speech.
People with missing teeth can find eating difficult, particularly food that requires a lot of chewing, such as meat. They can also experience difficulties when speaking, specifically that the lack of one or more teeth can make them slur or lisp.
Some tooth replacement options, such as removable dentures, improve the aesthetic effects of tooth loss but do not always improve their ability to chew and talk with ease. Dentures and bridges often slip out of position as your jaw changes over time due to bone reabsorption. Your dental implant, on the other hand, functions just like a natural tooth, so you will not have to alter your diet or other habits. The metal post stimulates bone tissue renewal to preserve your tooth and jaw alignment.
Pro: They Are Comfortable
Another advantage of dental implants over some other methods of replacing damaged or missing teeth is that they feel like natural teeth. Although you may experience some tenderness and sensitivity while healing from the dental implant surgery, it should not cause you any discomfort once you have recovered.
Pro: Impressive Durability
One of the characteristics of dental implants that makes many people choose them over dental bridges or dentures is their durability. While other tooth replacement solutions usually have to be replaced, if you look after it well, your dental implant post can last a lifetime, and the crown needs to be replaced approximately every 20 years.
Pro: They Help Preserve the Bone
If you are weighing up teeth implant pros and cons, one of the aspects you should consider is that dental implants are the only method of tooth replacement that works to strengthen and preserve your jawbone.
When you lose a tooth, the bone that was supporting that tooth eventually begins to disintegrate. This bone resorption can alter your facial structure if you have several missing teeth, leading to a sunken or hollow look.
When your dental implant is fitted, it is inserted directly into the jawbone. During the healing process after your dental implant surgery, the surrounding bone fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration. This not only provides a solid base for your crown, but it also gives the bone something to grip, helping to preserve the bone in the same way a natural tooth root would.
Con: They Can Be Expensive
When faced with deciding between dental implants or other tooth replacement options, many people are concerned by the cost. Their reputation for being expensive puts off many people from even talking to their dentist about whether a dental implant is suitable for them.
While it is true that dental implants are more expensive than bridges or dentures, this initial price tag does not tell the whole story. Although the initial cost is higher because implants typically last longer, they can often be very cost-effective over time.
At No Gaps Dental, we believe that money should not deter people from getting the dental care they deserve. That’s why we have an established payment plan, funded through MacCredit, that allows our patients to get the treatment they need right away and pay for it in their own time.
Con: Not Everybody is Suitable for Dental Implants
The biggest disadvantage of dental implants is that they are not suitable for everyone with a missing or damaged tooth. Because dental implants are implanted into the jawbone, you must have a strong enough bone structure before the procedure to support the implant. This means that some people who suffer from conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis, among others, may be unsuitable candidates for a dental implant, but only your dentist can determine whether you are a suitable candidate.
Your periodontal health also plays a part in whether you would be considered suitable for dental implants. People suffering from gum disease are more likely to experience dental implant failure.
Con: Getting a Dental Implant Requires Surgery
While dental bridges and dentures can be fitted quickly with minimally invasive procedures, getting a dental implant involves dental surgery, multiple appointments. Depending on your healing timeline and whether you require additional surgeries like a bone graft or sinus lift, it can take up to a year.
Dental implant surgery is extremely common. Our experienced dentists at No Gaps Dental work hard to ensure you are comfortable and keep you informed about every step of the treatment. Our surgery is state-of-the-art, and we take hygiene seriously. right from the use of hand sanitiser to the sterilisation of all equipment.
However, getting dental implants involves several visits to the dentist can be off-putting to those who suffer from dental anxiety. If you are nervous about dental treatment, let your dentist know because there are several things they can do to help.
Make an Informed Decision About Your Dental Health
Getting dental implants is an important decision, and it’s crucial that you are well informed about all the pros and cons before taking that step. It is a personal decision and, although implants certainly have more advantages than disadvantages, they are not for everyone.
At No Gaps Dental, we encourage our patients to ask us any questions they need to so they always feel happy with the decisions made about their dental health. Our friendly, skilled staff put your health and wellbeing as their top priority, from their frequent use of hand sanitiser to the employment of cutting-edge dental equipment.
Call us today on (02) 8806 0227 to arrange an initial consultation and take the first step to a new smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.