Dental implants are synthetic teeth made from dental porcelain or composite materials. These teeth are affixed to titanium posts that attach to the jaw bone. These synthetic teeth are permanently attached to the post. There are various benefits and drawbacks to getting a dental implant.
Advantages:
. Dental implants are permanent, so you do not need to worry about replacing the tooth.
. The implants are made to be similar to the tooth it replaces, which means that no one will know that the tooth is artificial.
. As the implants are not removable, they would not slide when you eat. This means you can continue eating your favorite foods, including corn on the cob or barbecue ribs.
. The dental implants are as comfortable as your own teeth. There is no pinching or chafing, as sometimes occurs with dentures or bridgework.
. Contrary to placing a bridge, placing the implants does not require filing down neighboring teeth. The adjacent teeth are completely unaffected by the dental implant.
. Dental implants do not stain as readily as dentures, and they do not need any special cleaning or treatment. Brush and floss the implants just as you would your natural tooth.
. You can speak ordinarily with dental implants. When dentures do not fit correctly, it may affect your speech because you must adjust your mouth position to prevent the dentures from sliding out.
. Dental implants are very lasting. Contrary to dentures, implants can last a lifetime.
. As dental implants do not affect other teeth or the gums, your oral health may be improved.
. Dental implants look more natural than dentures, which can make you look better and improve your self-esteem.
Drawbacks:
. Dental implants require surgery to place the posts. This rises the chances of infection and other problems from the surgery.
. If your jawbone is not strong enough to hold the titanium post, you may need a bone graft to strengthen the jaw and hold the post.
. Dental implants need several office visits to place, and many dentists prefer to work on one implant at a time. This means that you could have several dozen visits over the span of a year or more if you require many implants.
. Dental implant placement may fail. The jawbone may fail to integrate with the titanium post, or the tooth part of the implant may break.
. Some individuals experience permanent or chronic dental pain with their dental implants.
. Dental implants require careful daily brushing and flossing or they may deteriorate over time.
Only you and your dentist can figure out if dental implants are right for you. Even though dental implants are an ideal solution to tooth loss for many people, they are not appropriate for everyone. Call your dentist today to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Kevin Sands offers affordable dental implants to help patients preserve the health of their mouth after tooth loss. This dentist offers different kinds of dental implants, including cosmetic dental implants.