Pros and Cons of Dental Implants — Weighing Up Your Options

Dental Implants are the closest you can get to a complete and natural smile if you have a missing tooth or set of teeth. But are they right for you? In this post, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of dental implants to help you decide if they are what you need. So let’s dive in and get started.

The Pros of Dental Implants

Permanent tooth replacement

Dental implant surgery plants the titanium screw into the jawbone. Over time, the bone fuses with the screw to permanently stabilise the implant. Once fully stabilised, snd unlike conventional dentures, you won’t have to worry about your teeth randomly becoming loose when you eat or speak.

Looks and functions like natural teeth

To all intent and purpose, a Dental Implant looks, feels, and acts like a natural tooth. A dental implant done with utmost care and precision can mimic a natural tooth. If your dental implants are visible when you smile, they should blend beautifully with the rest of your teeth. And if they are for the back teeth, you can rely on their durability as you chew and eat.

Prevents bone loss

Bone loss is a common problem with tooth loss because the bone tissue that supports the missing tooth root is no longer stimulated. As a result, it’s absorbed back into the body. Fortunately, bone loss is not a concern with the dental implant. It acts as the tooth root to keep the bone stimulated and in excellent condition.

Low maintenance

Because implants are permanently fixed, you won’t need to worry about removing and cleaning them after eating. Dental implants are designed to keep the attachment teeth on so you can proceed with routine brushing and flossing. No extra care is needed. And, just like your natural teeth, upkeep is done with bi-annual dental visits to maintain the beauty of your smile.

Made to last

Once the titanium post or screw is anchored into the jawbone, it can last forever. The tooth attachment must be replaced after 15 years as they naturally wear with regular use.

We said that we’d talk about the pros and cons of dental implants, so to balance things up, we can’t talk about the pros without mentioning the cons, so here goes:

Cons of Dental Implants

Not suitable for everyone

Not all patients with missing teeth are recommended for dental implant surgery. Several factors must be considered, such as your oral and general health and the height and condition of the jawbone. In general, patients with bone disease and problems with wound healing are not recommended for dental implant treatment.

Pre-procedures may be necessary

If the height of the jawbone is not sufficient to support the Dental Implants, your dentist will perform bone grafting. This is an additional treatment on top of the dental implant treatment and will require extra time and cost on your part.

Long and costly process

One of the most important steps in the dental implant process is bone fusion. And this alone takes around 3 – 6 months. After that, you may still have to make multiple appointments with your dentist to complete your artificial teeth.

The entire process, from the dental implant surgery up to the placement of the replacement teeth, can take several months and can cost quite a hefty sum. But don’t be discouraged because your journey will result in a permanent and long-lasting smile that you will be proud to own.

Surgery may come with risks

As with other dental procedures, dental implant surgery can have possible risks and complications. This includes implant “rejects” which happen if the bone fails to fuse with the bone.

Infection is also possible, along with nerve damage which may be temporary or permanent. It is best to discuss the likelihood of these risks with your dentist when it comes to your case, so you know what to expect.

So there you have it, the pros and cons of dental implants. Hopefully, we’ve given you the sufficient information needed to decide whether Dental Implant surgery is worth it.

If you’re still unsure, it pays to schedule a dental consultation near you for expert advice. But generally, even though the process can be tiring and the cost can be significantly higher than alternatives such as dental bridges and dentures, the pros outweigh the cons in many aspects.

It’s worth remembering that despite the disadvantages, when dental implants are done with absolute precision and accuracy, they fit seamlessly into your existing smile. No one needs to know you’re wearing dental restorations. So what’s not to love?

Dental Implants at Beyond Dental Care

If you’re hoping to get your missing tooth replaced with a dental implant, it is always best to get your consultation at your local dental clinic first. At Beyond Dental Care, we can discuss the pros and cons of Dental Implants to help you understand if the dental implant treatment is right for you.

If you’re seeking a dentist that offers a consultation and one that is highly skilled and knowledgeable in the field, get in touch with the Beyond Dental team. We’ve successfully placed hundreds of implants into jaws just like yours, and before treatment, we’ll make a thorough assessment and discuss the best treatment plan to achieve your goals. Get in touch today.