Are you considering dental implants as a way to replace missing permanent teeth? Great! But before making the decision, it is essential to know what they are and their benefits. Dental implants are synthetic tooth roots that are anchored into your jawbone. They allow for the permanent replacement of missing teeth without the need for removable dentures or bridges. The titanium implant will be surgically placed where there was once a tooth root so that new bone may grow around the metal post, securing it in place. The dental surgeon can use these implants in many different ways, including replacing single or multiple teeth.
However, dental implants can be expensive, and there is still a risk of complications from surgery. In this article, we will look into the pros and cons of dental implants in more detail.
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Who Is the Right Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implant surgery isn’t often an option for everyone, but it can be a highly successful procedure for many people looking to fill in their missing tooth. To be qualified for dental implant treatment, you should:
- Have high bone density level in their jawbone to anchor the permanent implant
- Be able to maintain excellent dental hygiene to prevent infections
- Not have gum disease or periodontal disease
People with chronic illnesses and autoimmune conditions may find it difficult to heal after receiving dental implants. Furthermore, alternative treatment options should be discussed with a dental professional for those who suffer from these illnesses and are immunocompromised. In addition, people who smoke may also need to stop before and after the dental implant surgery as it would significantly affect the treatment.
Learn more: Who Can Get Dental Implants
Pros of Dental Implants
Aesthetics
Dental implants for tooth replacement are so lifelike that you may not be able to distinguish them from your natural teeth as they look and feel the same as the real ones.
The dental crown will be secured into your jaw without feeling that it is separate from the rest of your teeth. It will feel as stable and robust as those teeth. You’ll be able to eat, talk, or do other things with regular movements.
Prevent Bone Loss
When a patient receives dental implants, the implant will take the place of that missing tooth’s root. This makes getting a dental implant more appealing for many patients who have had tooth extractions since a certain degree of bone loss is unlikely to occur.
Strong teeth stimulate the formation of solid jawbones. Therefore, when you lose a tooth, the surrounding area will begin to erode, which may lead to other issues such as periodontitis or bone deficiency in adults where there are missing teeth.
Dental implants are secured onto your jaw as if they were natural teeth. The titanium screw stimulates bone growth to prevent unhealthy changes from happening, and they act as artificial roots to preserve the bone structure.
Durable
Dental implants are a long-term solution that most closely resembles natural teeth. They provide the stability of your jawbone for support, and if you take care to brush them as you would with natural teeth, they can last up to 10- 15 years or more. On the other hand, dentures have to be replaced every five to eight years.
Make sure you are sticking to a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your teeth. Avoid smoking and consuming sweet treats, soda, or junk food. Brush your teeth at least twice per day and see your dentist regularly for check-ups.
With a 90-95% success rate, careful attention to your tooth implants will increase their longevity.
Practical Benefits
Dental implants resemble and function just like natural teeth. They are the perfect solution to tooth loss or those who want to have a perfect Hollywood smile.
Unlike dentures fitted to the gum line and clamp on the mouth, resulting in difficulty in speaking clearly and eating comfortably, dental implants allow you to chew and laugh with ease since they are permanently anchored in place. Moreover, Your artificial teeth blend in seamlessly with the rest of your mouth.
Easy to Care
Care for implants is no different than taking care of your natural teeth. By brushing twice a day and flossing once, you can protect them from plaque build-up and staining, unlike dentures that require additional specialised oral care.
Does Not Rely on Adjacent Teeth
Dental implants benefit that they do not rely on other teeth for support. This is unlike a dental bridge that requires neighbouring teeth to bear pressure and can further deteriorate those teeth.
Cost Effective Long Term
Dental implant procedures are not the cheapest option for tooth replacement, but for a long-term solution that could last your whole life, they come highly cost-effective.
It can be an expensive upfront cost, but this one-time investment will make you feel more comfortable and confident for years. In no time, there’ll be a missing tooth that you don’t even remember anymore.
Learn More: Dental Implants vs Dentures vs Bridges: What’s the Best for Me?
Cons of Dental Implants
Lengthy process
Getting a tooth implant can be a long process since multiple steps are required for this treatment. It typically takes four to six months for the implant to fuse into the jawbone, which may not be a viable solution for someone in need of an immediate fix.
If you’re replacing a damaged tooth due to tooth decay, the dentist will need to remove your old tooth first. They’ll then need to prepare the site and fit everything into place before installing the titanium post. From hereon, you need to wait for months for the implant to fully heal before the next step would start. On average, it would take a total of 8 months to complete the treatment.
Risk of Infection
Dental implants are rarely problematic, but in rare cases, there can be gum infection after implantation. In extreme cases, this leads to a condition called periodontal disease, which causes bone loss.
Not for Everyone
Dental implants typically require a candidate with good health and jawbones that are dense and strong. Patients who may not be eligible for tooth replacement include those without a healthy oral health condition, chronic disease, or autoimmune diseases. These conditions will compromise the healing process of the treatment.
Supplementary Procedures
In some cases, it may require supplementary procedures before doing the implant surgery. For example, people with insufficient bone density may need a bone graft to promote new bone growth. It’s also possible that you may need a sinus lift if your sinuses are located too close to your jaw bone. These additional surgeries can increase waiting time for your implants, while they may also ramp up the price.
Dental Implants Can Fail
According to a recent study, 5-10% of patients who undergo dental implant surgery will experience implant failure. Despite that, patients must know that this risk of failure is caused by several factors.
Persistent gum disease, inadequate jawbone, and other medical conditions can lead to tooth loss. However, if dental hygiene is poor or the smoker continues smoking, the implant will eventually fail.
Due to the risk of implant failure, your dentist will evaluate whether implants are a perfect solution during your initial consultation. If one does fail, it can be removed, and you can try again after three months.
They Are Expensive
There are various dental implant options for people, but they need to be fitted at a private dentist’s office.
Hence, implants are not the most affordable fix for a lost tooth. Though the entire treatment procedure is lengthy and costly, they’re worth it in the long run. They are worth the cost because of the comfort, confidence and natural feel they provide.
Cost of Single Implants
The cost of getting a dental implant in Australia varies between $3,000-$6,500. Additionally, according to the National Dental Fee Survey in 2017, the average cost per tooth is around $5,563, so you should expect to spend at least this much money for dental treatment.
Learn More: Cost of Dental Implants in Australia
Cost of Full Mouth Implants
The cost of full upper implants or all-on-4 dental implants would be around $23,000 to 27,000 per fixed arch of teeth.
Not Covered by Health Insurance and Medicare
Medicare does not cover dental implants, and private health insurance rarely covers a dental implant, which can be pretty costly.
Private health insurance companies only offer rebates of about $500-$1500 for dental care. Most plans do not cover major dental procedures and surgeries unless they cover extras. If you are looking to sign up for new health coverage, be wary of one thing: You’ll have to wait for a year before being eligible for any surgery benefits offered by the plan if there’s any.
One of the most important things to remember about dental implants is that you will still be responsible for a portion of the procedure even if your insurance covers them. The specific fees for your procedure will depend on the particulars of your plan, but you can expect to pay more for this type of treatment than you would any other dental surgery.
Learn More: Who Can Get Dental Implants
Final Thoughts
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth will shift position to compensate for the missing one. This can lead to many problems, such as gum disease and bone loss. Dental implants are an excellent solution that provides you with a more natural-looking smile while maintaining your oral health.
However, dental implants do have some drawbacks that should be considered when making this life-changing decision. We recommend getting in touch with us at Burwood Dental Care at 03 7034 0333 for more information about how they work and what they entail, and any potential risks we may not know about yet. We would love to talk through all your questions about how best to achieve the results you want.