Your Saskatoon Invisalign® Provider
Considering dental implants as a tooth replacement option? Here, our Saskatoon dentists discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dental implants to help you decide if they're right for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants permanently replace missing teeth. Held in place with a tiny titanium rod implanted into the patient’s jaw bone, the implant serves as the root of the artificial tooth.
Titanium is used because this type of metal can bond with the bone. Titanium implants are very stable, secure tooth replacements. We then cap the dental implant with a dental crown, which looks like a natural tooth.
Together, the implant and the cap look and function just like your natural tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer several advantages, including:
Natural Look & Feel
As mentioned, your dental implant, paired with a bridge or crown, will look and function just like your natural tooth.
No one should be able to tell that you have artificial teeth and that you can eat, speak, and function as you did before while enjoying your quality of life. Since there are no nerves in a dental implant, you will not feel sensations.
Instead, any feelings you experience related to your dental implant will come from the soft tissue around the implant. After your implant has healed and you’ve gotten used to it, you most likely will notice very little difference between your implant and your natural teeth.
Easy to Care For
Similar to bridges, crowns or other restorations, you can care for your dental implants just like your natural teeth. They’ll need thorough brushing and flossing, and your dentist will need to check them during your regular exams.
Long Lasting
Provided you properly care for your dental implant, it can last a lifetime. A proper at-home oral care routine is a must, as are regular visits to your dental office for cleanings and exams.
Other factors including nutrition, genetics, or the development of dental diseases can also impact the longevity of your dental implant.
Versatility
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth in the upper or lower jaw. We can combine implants with other treatment options such as a bridge or denture.
Your specific case and requirements, in addition to the density of your jaw bone, will determine the number of actual implants you need/can get. Dental implants are a popular option for many patients as they have many potential configurations.
Possible Disadvantages of Dental Implants
Depending on the nature of your case, dental implants may not be for you. Here are some factors you should take into consideration:
Lengthy Process
While dental implants may look and feel somewhat more natural than dental bridges, the dental implant process is lengthier and more invasive.
Depending on your treatment plan and your specific case, the entire dental implant procedure can take anywhere from 2 to 9 months to complete.
Cost
Depending on your insurance coverage and your specific dental issue, the cost of dental implants can vary. While some insurance companies pay part of the cost, others may cover the entire cost of your implants and still, others may not pay for any part of it.
Check with your insurance provider to learn whether your insurance plan will cover your treatment.
Additional Procedures
You must have enough density in your jaw bone in order to receive a dental implant. If you don’t, you may still be able to receive an implant but would require a bone graft to transplant bone to your jaw for added support. This makes the procedure more invasive and a longer process than usual.
How to Decide If Implants Are Right for You
While dental implants, bridges and other restorations all have their benefits, the right choice for you will depend on your oral health needs, budget and other factors.
Ultimately, you’ll need to discuss your case with your dentist to find out which tooth replacement option would work best for you.