Say you’ve lost a tooth. Or maybe a few of them.
(It’s okay. Happens to the best of us!)
It could’ve been genetics. It could’ve been the side effect of a medication you’ve taken. Or it could’ve been a well placed right hook from a jilted ex-lover.
Whatever the case, if you want to plug that gap in your mouth, you have a few options.
One of the most popular of them is dental implants.
A dental implant is a replacement tooth root that’s surgically implanted in the jawbone under your gums.
What are the Pros and Cons of Dental Implants?
As with pretty much anything in life, there are pros and cons to getting dental implants. Here we’ll look at 11 of them – 6 pros and 5 cons. Let’s dive in…
Pros of Dental Implants
They look real
This is a big consideration. If you’re going to replace a missing tooth, you don’t want the replacement to scream “Look at me, I’m a fake!”. This should not be a concern with dental implants. There are many very realistic tooth replacements you can fit on an implant.
Function like real teeth
With dental implants, you can talk and eat like normal. No lisps or having to remove your teeth before meals.
Low maintenance
Dental implants tend to last a while and require about the same amount of care as your real teeth do. Regular brushing and flossing coupled with regular trips to your dentist is about all it takes.
Lots of options
With implants, you have more options to choose from. For example, you can choose the type of restoration or replacement teeth used including crowns, bridges or dentures.
You also have options on using implants to support multiple replacement teeth. Some examples include having 2 teeth on 1 implant, 3-4 teeth on 2 implants or All-on-4 where all the teeth on one jaw are supported by 4 implants
Permanent solution
Dental implants are at least a semi-permanent if not totally permanent solution. Once they’re in, they usually don’t have to be replaced.
They support themselves
Some tooth replacement options like bridges need other teeth to support them. And, in doing so, they can wear down your real teeth over time. Since implants completely support the replacement teeth, they don’t require any support from the surrounding teeth.
5 Cons of Dental Implants
High Cost
Let’s just cut to the chase here… dental implants ain’t cheap. A single implant will run into the thousands of dollars. For multiple teeth or an entire arch, the cost can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. And, generally, dental insurance will not cover the cost of implants.
It’s surgery
Getting implants placed is surgery. While it is generally considered a very safe procedure, complications like infection can occur. Also some pain is to be expected once the anesthesia wears off.
Not a quick fix
While there are “Teeth in a Day” implant options, getting dental implants is typically a long term procedure. Once the initial surgery to place the implant is over, it can take up to 6 months for implants to fuse with jawbone.
Teeth will probably need to be replaced at some point
This is true of pretty much any replacement tooth option you use. Replacement teeth can crack, chip or just wear down over time. When that happens, you’ll have to replace them. Using a great lab and experienced dentist can increase the lifespan of your replacement teeth however.
Can lose some bone around your dental implants
For various reasons, you can lose some of the bone around your implant. If this gets too bad, then the whole implant may need to be replaced. Again, the skill of the dentist you use and the quality of the lab creating your teeth go a long way to determining the long term success of implants.
Bottom Line
So there you have it… 6 pros and 5 cons for dental implants. Despite the cons, most people who get implants are happy with their results. However, they are not for everyone.
If you’re considering dental implants, discuss your situation with a cosmetic dentist near you that specializes in implants and see if they are a good fit for your situation.