Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Dental implants have become widely popular as a natural-looking tooth replacement solution. Not only do implants restore a patient’s full smile, but they also keep the jawbone engaged to prevent it from shrinking. However, they must be surgically implanted, which can bring some risks. Dive deeper into the pros and cons of dental implants to discover whether they are a good fit for you.

But what are dental implants?

First, to understand the pros of dental implants, it is important to understand what they are and how they work. Contrary to common belief, a dental implant is not an artificial tooth. Instead, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root that supports the tooth replacement (typically, a dental crown). They are biocompatible metal, screwlike posts that a dental professional installs directly into the patient’s jawbone so that they can fuse with it (osseointegration).

After osseointegration, the dentist will make incisions in the gum line to place abutments that the false teeth can attach to. Patients must wait a couple of weeks for the gums to heal before the dental implant procedure.

Pros of dental implants

A major benefit of dental implants is their ability to replace one to several missing teeth. They can also support a full-arch prosthetic, thereby serving as a permanent denture. Since the implant screws are implanted in the jawbone, the final result will look and feel like natural teeth.

In addition, just like natural teeth, implants support surrounding teeth and engage the muscles in the jawbone. When a tooth is missing, the underlying jawbone does not get the workout it needs while chewing. Perh Healthline, implants continue to exercise these muscles, preventing a shrunken jawbone, collapsed cheeks, sunken face, and even bite misalignments.

Finally, dental implants are known for their durability. According to a 2021 review published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, the average lifespan of implants was about 10 years. However, with proper care and the help of a general dentist, they can last over 20.

Cons of dental implants

Most of the cons associated with dental implants stem from the fact that patients need oral surgery to get them. Surgery creates the risk of infection, tissue or nerve damage, and excessive bleeding. A general dentist will work to minimize these risks.

Additionally, the process of getting dental implants can be lengthy. Osseointegration alone may take several months. Therefore, patients must be committed to enduring the healing process and cannot have any preexisting conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, that could interfere with it.

Similarly, the jawbone must be strong enough to support and fuse with the implants. If it is not, the implants may fail. Fortunately, a general dentist may rebuild a patient’s jawbone with a dental bone graft so that the patient may proceed with dental implant surgery. Note that the bone graft will need to heal before the patient qualifies for implants.