Understanding Dental Implants: Pros And Cons

As we grow old, we shed our milk teeth and gain permanent ones. But sometimes, due to various reasons that are either preventable, accidental, or out of our control, it is possible to suffer from tooth loss. 

In such an event, medical procedures such as dental implants are immensely helpful to allow an individual to gain back the confidence they may have lost. So if you are considering getting dental implants and are on the fence, keep reading so that you can make an informed decision based on scientific facts.

What Are Dental Implants?

In a nutshell, dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed surgically in the jawbone in the mouth. It takes a few months for the bone to grow and hold it in place, after which a replacement tooth with a metal connector fills the gap in the implant. The downtime for dental implants ranges from three to six months of healing. 

You will need to visit your doctor who will assess if you are a good candidate for dental implants. This examination will involve checking if the site of the implant has enough bone support for an implant. If not, your doctor may suggest bone grafting in order to restore jawbone function and the overall health of the implant site. The dental implant procedure tends to last an hour or so and is performed under anesthesia. 

As always, after a procedure such as this, your body will need some time to rest, recuperate, and heal. The first 48 to 72 hours may present some discomfort, for which your doctor will certainly provide over-the-counter pain medication. 

When you return back to the doctor following your downtime, they will judge the progress of your dental implant and proceed accordingly. If all goes well, the dentist will place the abutment and the dental implant procedure will be complete. 

Pros Of Dental Implants

Now that you have a good understanding of what dental implants entail and what a procedure looks like, it is wise to have a sensible accounting of the pros and cons in order to evaluate if this is the right path for you. If you need a dental check up, check out https://clackamassmiles.com/.

They Are Long-Lasting

One of the best things about dental implants is that they are durable and will last you a long time, even decades. This makes them worth the investment, as well as the downtime. In a way, they are a permanent solution to tooth loss problems for any and all age groups. Since dental implants are essentially fused to your jawbone, they are pretty stable, and if you take good care of them, they are no different than your natural teeth. 

They Improve Bone Health

Dental implants are pretty amazing as they reduce the loss of bone density since they essentially replace the root of the tooth. Since the implant stimulates the area, this prevents bone loss of the affected area.

They Are Aesthetically Attractive

For those concerned about their picture-perfect or Instagram-worthy smile, dental implants are great news as they look just like natural and regular teeth. Since the implant is customized to match the color of the rest of your teeth, you really won’t be able to tell the difference.

Cons Of Dental Implants

While dental implants are fantastic, there are a few things you should be aware of which are highlighted below. 

They Are Costly

One of the major reasons why people shy away from dental implants is that their dental insurance doesn’t cover dental implants, which is usually a costly procedure. Since dental implants are not very high up on the priority list, people tend to put them off for a long time. 

They Have Longer Downtime

As mentioned previously, the downtime for dental implants can vary anywhere from three to six months, which makes it a lengthy procedure. So dental implants are not ideal for someone looking for an immediate fix.

There Are Additional Procedures

Dental implants are not as straightforward as there may be additional procedures before the doctor can proceed, such as bone grafts. In some cases, dental implants may not be possible at all. This may increase the waiting time for getting the results and may be yet another disadvantage of dental implants.  

Parting Thoughts

Having the perfect smile is something that mesmerizes all of us. So if you are experiencing tooth loss and are in search of sure-shot ways to get around that problem, consider visiting your doctor and discussing the possibility of getting a dental implant to make your life easier and make yourself more confident.