Ups and Downs of Dental Implants

Dental Implants are impressive procedures; capable of restoring the functional and aesthetic aspects of smiles struggling with a broken, missing, or extracted tooth to a near permanent degree. A missing tooth is usually not ideal, and while there are a multitude of various restorative dental procedures out there, dental implants may be the best positioned tool to correct your smile!

While the necessity of an artificial replacement tooth may be a sensitive topic for some, the fact remains that the vast majority of people, at some point throughout their lifetime, will lose a tooth. Recent surveying suggests by age 74, a quarter of all adults will lose their entire set of natural teeth.

This is thanks to a plethora of common dental issues which could arise at some point in any of our lifetimes. The main culprits?

• Tooth loss.
• Dental decay.
• Unfortunate accidents.
• Gum diseases.
• Oral infections.

While dentures and other bridgework were once the most capable remedies for these issues, modern advancements in the dental industry have crowned dental implants as the superior treatment.

A missing tooth, for whatever its source, is encouraged to be replaced immediately- as the surrounding bone structure will begin to dissipate. This will lead to an array of issues not only in the looks department, as missing teeth may lead to; shifting of the existing teeth, a limitation of chewing and speaking abilities, and a distortion of your jaw’s structure.

This is where dental implants come into play! Crafted from resilient materials such as ceramic, porcelain, or resin, they are drilled into the very fabric of the jaw using a post crafted from one of the planet’s strongest metals- titanium!

We still must recognize that every dental method will exhibit both strengths and weaknesses. To further understand their implications, and ensure this method is the most ideal for your particular situation, let’s unravel the positives and negatives of dental implants.

Strengths

Dental implants are jewels of dental ingenuity and can transform even the most insufficient of smiles. If you’ve misplaced any of your teeth, you may be pleased to discover the many benefits they guarantee. The following are just a few… for a fuller array of knowledge regarding the procedure, contact our office or book a consultation appointment today!

Sturdiness

Due to the complex nature of the materials and process used to craft and install them, they boast a sturdiness and resiliency far superior to similar restorative methods like bridges and dentures. The titanium post, used to secure the artificial tooth (crown) above, is crafted from the same metal NASA utilizes to construct its rocket ships.

Replacing the tooth at the root, the implant becomes anchored into the fabric of your jawbone and actively prevents further bone loss. Meaning, unlike dentures, their placement ensures the rest of your existing oral structure will avoid disintegration.

Appearance

One of the focal selling points of dental implants is their appearance’s unique ability to completely blend in with the rest of your smile. Since they replace the tooth at its root, it sits directly against the gum and is virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. And in stark contrast to other less invasive methods like dentures, they only enhance your chewing and speaking function, instead of leading to undesirable side effects, such as clicking sounds.

This is also thanks to the unique materials utilized to craft artificial teeth. Offered in a vary of different colors, this allows a dental professional and patient to select the best suited contender.

Care process

The necessary oral care regimen of dental implants lends to its desirability. Operating identically to natural teeth, and being fused into the mouth’s foundation, it’s no wonder that its daily maintenance isn’t packaged with any strings attached. All you have to do is brush twice a day (especially after meals), floss daily, and participate in semiannual checkups- completely in line with what’s required of a fully natural smile.

Success rate

While no transformative dental procedure is ever fully permanent, dental implants are as close to this benchmark as possible! If cared for up to a dental professional’s expectations, they serve the patient with up to a 25-year lifespan. Additionally, thanks to advancements within the industry and the talent of professionals at The Point Dental, dental implants boast a near perfect 98% success rate.

Weaknesses

Nothing is perfect, and while implants flex a variety of strengths, there are still some complications possibly associated with their installation. In order to make an informed decision, it’s best you also get a grasp on some of their more negative connotations.

Complications

Like with any serious procedure, there are a few complications which could possibly arise after the implants are installed. These include frequent sinus infections or sinusitis, nerve damage within the jaw during the drilling process, and the vulnerability of the gums during the installation leading to infection.

Timeframe

Completely dependent on your smile demands, your specific process could be lengthy and consists of multiple visits to your professional’s office. This is dictated by how many implants are necessary, the state of your oral health, your jawbone density, and more.

It may also require separate and additional procedures. Again, if the particular area of the jawbone isn’t dense enough, a bone grafting must be performed to reinforce the area. Dental implants typically fully heal within 6 to 8 months.

Cost

Perhaps the most relevant factor to every patient, is the price tag. While this is a restorative procedure to many, most insurance companies consider the procedure to be cosmetic. Therefore, for most plans, only a fraction of their cost will be covered, and the remainder is to be forked up out-of-pocket. The average cost of an implant in California hovers around $3,000, however it depends on the patient’s specific situation. The general range of cost is between $1,000 to $5,000, but remember this is a broad and inclusive estimate.

If you seek to learn more about the pros and cons of dental implants, or want a professional’s recommendation on which approach will best restore the look and feel of your unique smile, book an appointment today!