Dental Implants: The Pros & Cons
Have you suffered from tooth loss due to an accident, gum disease, failed root canal, or decay? If you have then you’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, one in every four adults will lose all their permanent teeth by age 74. In the past, the standard options to help fill in gaps were dentures and fixed bridgework. However, in more recent years dental implants have become more and more popular.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant a titanium screw that supports a replacement tooth. The implantation process usually takes several steps.
An oral surgeon anchors the implant into the jawbone where the new tooth will be placed.
Wait three to six months for the jawbone to heal and the screw to be fully fused with the bone.
A reconstructive dentist attaches a replacement tooth to a small metal post that protrudes from the implant.
Pros of dental implants:
Implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support, which protects your remaining teeth from damage.
Bone loss is avoided because an implant replaces the tooth and it's root.
They look and function like real teeth.
They don’t require special care. You take care of implants just as you would your real teeth.
Cons of dental implants:
As with any surgery, there are complications that can occur.
They are not a quick fix. As mentioned above there are multiple steps involved - including a six month waiting period so the implant can fuse to the jaw bone.
Infection can occur. If the gums around the implant are infected this could trigger peri implantitis, a periodontal disease that can result in bone loss.
Additional dental work may be necessary. For example, if your jawbone is weakened by osteoporosis the surgeon will have to graft bone onto the weakened portion of your jaw.
They can be expensive. Dental implants are rarely covered by insurance, and cost several thousand dollars per implant.
These drawbacks may sound intimidating, but dental implants are a safe option for healthy adults. Surgery has a success rate of more than 90 percent.
Treat or replace?
The first treatment of any disorder, including tooth loss, should be the least invasive option. Yes, dental implants have known benefits for already-missing teeth. But extracting teeth with the goal of replacing them with implants isn’t recommended. The American Dental Association has voiced concern that the rise in popularity of dental implants could lead to the removal of teeth that are salvageable without any attempt to treat or maintain the compromised teeth.
Longitudinal studies have shown that in a 15 year period the rate of tooth loss in those with compromised teeth was 3.6 to 13 percent, while the rate of tooth loss in those with dental implants was 0 to 30 percent. This has lead to the American Dental Association advising that natural teeth should be preserved for as long as possible before extraction.
Our opinion:
Dental implants are the best option for replacing lost teeth. They can improve chewing ability, speech, overall self-confidence, and can last an entire lifetime.
At Smiles by Bergen Dental, Dr. Farinas-Han will work with you to help decide if dental implants are right for you. If you’re suffering from tooth loss make an appointment at Smiles by Bergen Dental at your earliest convenience to prevent any further damage to your dental health.
