What Are The Pros And Cons of Dental Implants?

Dental Implants in Fair Oaks, CA

One of the hottest topics in dentistry today is the use of dental implants. Implants have certainly revolutionized the field of replacement teeth. If you are considering tooth implants for missing teeth, you must know the facts. There are pros and cons of dental implants that your dentist carefully weighs before surgery can be scheduled. 

Research continually shows that dental implants are the best long-term solution to replace missing teeth. However, like any type of surgery, there are advantages and disadvantages. 

Cons of Dental Implants

No procedure is right for everyone, including dental implants. While there are some risks associated with dental implants, they are relatively mild. The disadvantages include: 

• You have to meet a set of requirements
  • In order to have dental implant surgery, you must first meet certain criteria. As the procedure involves anchoring the implant to your jaw bone, if you’ve experienced significant bone loss as a result of losing teeth, there may not be enough for the dental implant to be successful. You must also be in good health so your jawbone can fully recover.  
• The cost of the procedure
  • While dental implants are the best long-term solution for tooth loss, they’re not always the most cost-effective. However, dental implants are well worth the price for the comfort, confidence, and natural feel they give you. 
• The procedure can be lengthy
  • Dental implants are not a quick fix and can take several months to complete. If you’re replacing an existing damaged tooth, this will first need to be removed. Your dentist will then need to prepare the tooth site before fitting the implant anchor. Once the anchor has been fitted, you’ll need to wait several months while it heals and the surrounding bone grows. The final stage of the procedure involves placing the artificial tooth.

Pros of Dental Implants

While dental implants have some drawbacks, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. 

• They look and feel like natural teeth
  • Dental implants have the appearance of real teeth. In fact, once your implant has been fitted, you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference between your replacement tooth and your real teeth. Implants also won’t feel any different from your regular teeth. Since the implants are anchored to your jaw, they’ll feel just as strong as your regular teeth too. 
• You can eat and chew with ease
  • Unlike dentures, implants won’t feel any different than your regular teeth when eating and chewing. You can eat what you want once the dental implant procedure is complete! Whether you fancy crunchy snacks, chewy foods, or hot or cold drinks, you can eat and drink without concern — just remember not to overdo the sugary treats.
• Dental implants can last a lifetime
  • Implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement solution. You may need to replace the crowns every 10-15 years, but if you look after the implants, they can last a lifetime.
• They’re easy to take care of
  • You should take care of your implants like your regular teeth: daily brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and a healthy diet. 
• Dental implants prevent bone loss
  • Dental implants are anchored into your jaw, similar to your real teeth. The screw thread of the implant acts as the root of a natural tooth, so with dental implants, your jaw bone remains strong and you won’t experience bone loss.

You can see that the advantages heavily outweigh the disadvantages. Dental implants have been proven to be a great option for people who suffer from tooth loss. We always want to make our patients look and feel great; dental implants are a great way to do that. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, so contact Orcutt Family Dentistry today.