There are many pros and cons of dental implants, yet dental implants are not ideal for everyone.
For people who need to replace their teeth, dental implants are one of the most popular choices. But before that, dentists clarify the pros and cons of dental implants.
However, a dentist recommends filling the gaps between teeth if you have gaps or need to extract them. This helps prevent any teeth problems if you suffer from eating or speech.
According to research, dental implants are usually the long-term solution for missing teeth or if you need to replace your teeth. However, this kind of surgery needs to be done carefully.
Table of Contents
Pros And Cons Of Dental Implants
Let’s read the details of the pros and cons of dental implants.
Pros Of Dental Implants
- Prevent Bone Loss
- Durable
- Mimics Natural Teeth
- Easy to Eat
Let’s discuss these pros in detail.
1. Prevent Bone Loss
Dental implants help prevent the loss of bone that is associated with missing teeth. During this process, dentists use the same jawbone as the natural tooth’s roots. To maintain the bone mass, this stimulation is necessary.
At the same time, the bone is absorbed back into the body and distributed elsewhere. This process is known as bone resorption, which changes the facial bone structure. But over time, the shape will change, so don’t worry about it.
In addition, due to the loss of bone, your remaining natural teeth become loose or fall out. If you want to prevent bone loss, you should consider dental implants.
2. Durable
Usually, dental implants are very durable and can last for 15 years on average. While some implants can last for more than 20 years, that is amazing! That’s because the implant screws are permanent once they fuse with the jawbone. And you do not require any additional oral surgery.
3. Mimics Natural Teeth
Dental implants’ structure, appearance, and functions are almost identical to natural teeth. Generally, dental implants work as artificial tooth roots that fuse with the jawbone. This enables the tooth to restore its natural biting or chewing ability. Also, it gives a natural appearance when the prosthetic is attached.
4. Easy To Eat
You can chew and eat easily yet won’t feel any differences from your regular teeth. You can eat anything you love, whether cold or hot drinks or crunchy snacks, without any concern.
Cons Of Dental Implants
- Lengthy Process
- Expensive
Now let’s discuss these downsides in detail.
1. Lengthy Process
The dental implant is a lengthy process that can take a few months to complete. First, the dentist will remove the damaged tooth, and then he will prepare the artificial tooth to fit the implant anchor.
You have to wait for months when the implant is done to heal it properly.
Moreover, this time period will help to grow the side bones.
2. Expensive
Though this is a long-lasting solution for tooth loss, it’s not cost-effective. But for the confidence, natural feel, and comfort it is well worth it.
Now you know the pros and cons of dental implants, and as you can see, rather than cons, dental implants have many benefits.
If you understand the pros and cons of dental implants properly, then it will be easier for you to decide whether you want to replace your teeth or not.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Wondering are dental implants safe or not? Yes, implants are safe, and it is a popular choice in today’s dental industry. For more than 30 years in dentistry, this procedure has been running successfully.
With the dental implant process, there are almost no major complications for patients who have good health.
However, before any implant surgery, your dentist may ask you to have some tests to ensure your health is in good condition.
According to research, up to 95% of implants were in perfect condition even after 10 years of replacement. On the other hand, another study shows the success rate is 95-98% between 45 to 50 years.
So, don’t worry about are dental implants safe or not. Dental implants are incredibly safe, and the complication rate is rare here.
What Are The Alternatives To Dental Implants?
If you are concerned about the pros and cons of dental implants and seeking alternatives to dental implants, then the good news is, yes, it has other options.
- Dentures
- Dental Bridges
- Resin-Bonded Bridge
- Implant-Supported Bridge
- Flipper
Dentures
It is a natural tooth replacement option that includes three choices. Your dentist will suggest the best one depending on the number of your teeth.
- A Partial Denture is an ideal option for people who need to replace one tooth.
- Full Denture is recommended for people who lost all of their teeth.
- Implant-supported Denture is for people who want to improve denture stability.
Dental Bridges
If you have one or two missing teeth, the dental bridge is recommended. Usually, the dental bridge is fully fixed in your mouth, so this won’t lose over time or slip out. So you can eat easily and speak confidently.
Resin-Bonded Bridge
A resin-bonded bridge mostly feels like your natural teeth, like the dental bridge’s function.
In this process, the dentist uses resin to attach the teeth. It is a more straightforward process compared to any other process.
Implant-Supported Bridge
If you have several missing teeth, your dentist will recommend an implant-supported bridge. With this process, the lost teeth are supported by adjacent teeth, which are done by implants.
Flipper
Flipper is a temporary partial denture that needs to be attached between the side of the missing tooth. It prevents the adjacent teeth from drifting; at the same time, this relies on the palate of the mouth.
Hopefully, you understand the alternatives to dental implants, and if you need to replace your teeth, you can pick any option you want. Or your dentist may suggest one according to the condition of your teeth.
Bad Dental Implants
If your surgeon does not take extreme precautions, bad dental implants can happen. Even though failure is very rare in dental implants! Nevertheless, let’s discuss some common reasons for bad dental implants.
- Infection: To reduce the risk of infection, one should take good care of dental implants. You should follow your surgeon’s advice aftercare. That’s why one needs to follow the advice properly, or else he could lose the implants.
- Gum Recession: After dental implants, one may find the gum tissue around the implant begins to recede.
- Tissue or Nerve Damage: If the dental implant is too close to the nerve, there are chances of tissue or nerve damage.
One may suffer from sinus issues, or the dental implant may damage due to excessive force.
Bottom Line
For decades, dental implants have been successful, and there is a little failure rate. If you need a dental implant, you can consult a dentist and go through the process to get your natural smile back. Before that, ask your dentist to describe the pros and cons of dental implants for your peace of mind.
