No one wants to have repulsive gaps in their dentition created due to missing teeth as it may ruin the beauty of their smile. Apart from the cosmetic issues, missing teeth also disrupt the normal functions of the mouth, such as biting, chewing, and even speaking. Teeth may be lost due to numerous reasons, but with dental implants, you can easily restore these voids and get your charming toothy smile back.
There are various other options to restore your missing teeth such as dentures, crowns, or bridges, but among all these dental implants are the only devices that are integrated with your jaw bone and allowed to fuse. This makes them highly durable and long-lasting.
After reading this all your questions such as, are dental implants safe, do dental implants hurt, will be solved.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are miniature peg-like prosthetic devices made up mostly of titanium. Titanium is also known as wonder metal for making implants because it is very strong and lightweight. It readily fuses with the bone and accentuates the process of osseointegration. Various other types of dental implants are available. These implants serve as the root of the tooth and are placed into cavities drilled in the jaw bone. These implants can then support an artificial tooth, dentures, or bridges. Unlike other prosthetic devices, dental implants are fused with the bone, and there is no or minimal risk or implant getting loose or misplaced.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
To choose the best treatment modality, you must consider both the advantages and disadvantages.
Natural-looking: The dental implant is placed inside the jaw bone, and an artificial tooth that looks identical to your natural teeth is attached above it. It can be customised according to your mouth size and colour of teeth so that it becomes indistinguishable from your other teeth. This can help in boosting your self-esteem with a pleasing smile.
Facilitation of good-oral hygiene: you must look after Dental Implants just like your other teeth. No special chemicals are required to clean the implants.
Long-lasting: If you are wondering, how long do dental implants last, then this is one of the most significant benefits of dental implants. Once installed, they may last for as long as 25 years or even more. All you have to do is sustain good oral hygiene and keep visiting a dentist for routine oral checkups.
Restores functions of mouth: With one or more missing teeth, you may experience trouble while speaking and eating. Dental implants can solve this problem by filling the gap and providing the foundation for artificial teeth. This can help you in performing all the functions of the mouth with ease.
Prevent the resorption of bone: When you lose a tooth, the surrounding bone starts losing its mass due to inaction. There is no stimulation to keep the bone functioning. This bone loss may lead to the weakening of the entire jaw, and the risk of pathological fractures increases. Dental implants invigorate the bone and prevent bone loss.
Prevent other teeth from getting crooked: Due to a gap in the dentition, the teeth adjacent to the gap lose support from one side and might become misaligned or crooked. This will further deteriorate your smile as well as the functions of the mouth. A dental implant fills this gap and reinforces the adjacent teeth, preventing them from getting misaligned. Full dental implants can be used if multiple teeth are missing.
Maintains facial symmetry: A missing teeth can cause the overlying facial structures to lose support and become drooping or sunken at the place of the gap. This leads to distortion of facial symmetry, and along with your smile, your face also becomes cosmetically less pleasing. Implants restore that support to the facial structures.
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What are the disadvantages of dental implants?
Every individual is different, and dental implants are not for everyone.
Selectivity: Only those patients who have good quality, as well as quantity of the jaw bone dentistry, are eligible for dental implants. If you don’t fulfil this criterion, you may require surgery to place a bone graft and another surgery for dental implant placement.
Surgical risks: Every surgery is associated with its risks. The most common risk is that of injury to surrounding vessels leading to bleeding. Nerves may also get injured during the procedure, which will cause permanent numbing or sensitivity in the concerned area. Post-surgical/surgical site infections are also a complication. However, every dentist takes the utmost precautions, and these are only rare events.
Integration failure: In some cases, the implant fails to fuse with the jaw bone. It is a rare complication, and if you take care of your oral hygiene properly and your dentist is skilled, then this will not happen..
Expensive: Since the implants are made of titanium, which is a costly metal, the overall cost of the procedure is on the higher side. The surgery is an elaborate one and requires expertise; therefore, it may be expensive. You may require bone grafting, which further adds to the cost.
Lengthy and time-taking procedure: You cannot get dental implants in a single visit. It is a gradual process and will require multiple visits to the dentist. The fusion of the implant with the bone is a slow process.
Restoration replacement: Although dental implants are sturdy and long-lasting, the restoration used, such as an implant-retained denture, will wear off gradually and require replacement. This intervention also has some impact on the dental implant, and it might need replacement after some time.
After thoroughly going through the pros and cons, you must have realised that the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Thus, dental implants are very commonly preferred and used by people because of its long term benefits. If you visit a professional dentist, the risks of surgical injuries will remarkably decrease. If you are struggling with missing teeth and in a dilemma of which option to choose, visit Conway House Dental Practice in High Wycombe. Our dentist will provide you with the best dental implants. We use high-quality products. Our friendly staff, eager to solve your queries and calm you down, are available for you. Call us and book an appointment today.
