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Losing teeth can have an impact on your daily life. Besides affecting the way you eat and speak, it also affects your confidence. Dental implants can help to solve this problem. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of dental implants to help you decide what is best suited for your needs.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are surgically inserted posts in the jawbone to function as artificial tooth roots. After the implant integrates with the bone through a process called osseointegration, a crown will be attached to create a permanent, natural-looking replacement tooth.
Pros of Dental Implants
- Durable. Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Natural appearance. Dental implants look natural and seamless because they are custom-made to match the color, shape and size of your existing teeth.
- Restores function. As dental implants mimic the root structure of natural teeth, you can expect them to restore functionalities such as biting, chewing, and speech.
- Preserve bones. Missing teeth can cause the jawbone to deteriorate and cause facial sagging. Dental implants prevents bone loss in the jaw as they act as support to maintain bone density in the jaw.
- Preserves adjacent teeth. Dental implants prevent adjacent teeth from moving into the gap left by a missing tooth.
- No Dietary Restrictions. Implants function like natural teeth allowing you to eat a variety of foods. This is unlike dentures which require you to avoid hard, sticky and chewy food.
Cons of Dental Implants
- Costs. Dental implants cost more than other options such as dentures.
- Surgical Procedure. Getting dental implants involves surgery which can be intimidating for some. Also, those who have pre-existing health conditions such as insufficient bone density might not be suitable for this surgery.
- Healing period. Dental implants take longer to heal as the implant requires several months to fully integrate with the jawbone.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Compared to dentures which may require to be replaced every 5 to 10 years, dental implants are suitable for people who are looking for a permanent fix as they can last for decades. They also feel and act like natural teeth, therefore providing comfort and lesser maintenance than dentures.
