Are Dental Implants Right for You?

For those that have experienced the loss of a permanent tooth, dental implants can be a realistic and safe approach to getting optimal function and stability back, as well as a beautiful smile.

Like all cosmetic dental procedures, there are benefits and risks to consider on both sides before going all in.

Dental implants do have an average success rate of 95%, and it is considered the gold standard of procedures when it comes to replacing a missing tooth. They are a safe, well-regulated option in cosmetic dentistry, but all surgeries have both up and down sides. It’s best to look at all the facts, and make an educated decision from there. With that in mind, we’ve written down the facts for you!

• The Pros:

• • As we mentioned before, dental implants do have a very high success rate. This means that if you do decide to take that route, it’s overwhelmingly likely the operation will go smoothly and you’ll be left with your dream smile, along with a stable and functional bite. Dental implants are put in with the intention to remain for life. With the same level of care you apply to your natural teeth, implants can last forever. This is simply because your implants are fused with bone, helping them to become permanent.

• • Nobody wants it to be obvious that their smile has been prosthetically enhanced in any way. Implants look and function just like natural teeth, making smiling, eating, and speaking a natural and easy process. There’s no reason to hide your smile or fumble with removable dentures!
• • Implants are far more convenient than the traditional approach of using dentures. This is due to the fact that they are not removable and require no irritating adhesives to maintain their place. This relieves the need to worry about having to remove or adjust them, especially when in public.
• • Eating is effortless! Dentures may slide or slip out of place, but because implants function as natural teeth, chewing is a normal, everyday process. You’ll never even think about it!
• • Your self-esteem won’t take a hit with implants. You’ll look and feel as normal as ever, and there will be nothing unusual about your smile!
• • Compared to fixed bridges, implants are superior for the following reasons:
    • Implants do not rely on existing natural teeth
    • Implants won’t require capping the adjacent natural teeth to suspend a bridge
    • Implants are more hygienic than fixed bridges
    • Implants are more aesthetic than fixed bridges
    • Implants are more durable and have a longer lifespan than fixed bridges

• • Dental implants are not much more expensive than a partial bridge or removable denture, especially when you consider the long-term outcome that you will have with an implant compared to a fixed bridge. They also last longer than a removable denture.
• • Placing an implant will sustain the volume of bone in the area of a lost tooth. On the other hand, a fixed bridge won’t help with preventing bone loss, and with removable appliances the risk of bone loss can be much higher.

• The Cons:

• • Getting dental implants does require you to undergo a minor surgery, but it’s so worth it in the end! Modern dental surgery is quite comfortable, the process virtually free of pain. Specialists will use combinations of local anesthetic and sedation to create a highly comfortable state for your procedure.

• • Sometimes, your procedure will come with a price tag. It’s very likely that insurance will not foot the entire bill. The bright side is that there is the chance of partial coverage. Insurance may take care of the cost of bone grafting but not the final crown, or vice versa. These are all things to discuss with your prosthodontist and insurance provider, but it is best to expect to cover some of the cost.
• • In addition to your implants potentially not being covered by your insurance, they can be quite expensive. This cost is justified by their longevity, however.

At the end of the day, despite all the great reasons to consider dental implants and the factors to be aware of when doing so, it’s all about making sure the procedure will help you get back on track with your daily life.

Will these implants increase your confidence, and make eating easier? Will they better your lifestyle, improve your smile, and help you to achieve your dream look?

If you can confidently answer yes to all of the above, it’s time to contact your local cosmetic dentist to see how they can help you find the implants that will perfect your smile!

If you have questions or want more information, speaking to a dental specialist at Clear Dental can help give you the answers you need!