Injury, tooth decay, infections, and advanced periodontal disease are some of the reasons for tooth loss. While you can possibly manage without a molar, it is still beneficial to consider replacement options. If those moving dentures don’t seem like an obvious option, consider seeing a restorative dentist in Roanoke for dental implants. How good or bad are dental implants? In this post, we take a look at the pros and cons.
The pros
- Get permanent tooth replacement: With dental implants that become a part of the jawbone, you have the ideal option for tooth replacement. The replacement teeth will remain in place, promising unmatched comfort.
- Get more natural results: The dental implant remains in place forever, and therefore, you get more realistic results with the replacement teeth. Eating and chewing are much easier.
- Prevent bone loss: Following a tooth extraction, you may lose considerable bone mass, which is not preventable with dentures. Because the implant takes its place inside the jawbone, you can prevent this concern.
- Enjoy your favorite foods: Dentists often advise against eating hard food when you get a bridge or dentures. That’s not the case with implants. You can continue to eat the kind of food you like, including chewy dishes.
- No extensive care: There are no extensive steps you need to follow after dental implants. Yes, you should focus on oral hygiene, but you don’t need additional care.
On the flip side
- Dental implants are not for everyone: If you have a history of lifestyle diseases or are a heavy smoker, you cannot get dental implants. Many people don’t have enough jawbone to support an implant.
- You need many appointments: It can take months before you can get replacement teeth on dental implants. You may need to schedule multiple appointments over a period of time.
- This is an expensive option: Compared to dental bridges and dentures, getting dental implants is a more costly procedure.
Talk to your dentist
The benefits of dental implants always outweigh the cons, at least for most patients. If you have concerns, talk to your dentist, who will guide you through the process and explain whether you could benefit from the option. The procedure involves oral surgery, which involves additional risks that may concern some patients. As for the cost, it depends on the number of implants you need, your current condition, and other variables. Get an estimate before you agree to the procedure.
