Learn Pros and Cons of Dental Implants for Replacing Teeth

When you don’t have any teeth, it can be difficult to smile. Fortunately, dentists are well versed in the practice of replacing lost dentition.

 
Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most effective ways to bridge those gaps. Although it is a very safe and effective treatment, it is not the best option for everyone. Here are some dental implant benefits and drawbacks to consider before making such an important decision.

Implant Fundamentals

Replacing missing teeth is not a new idea. For millennia, civilizations have inserted false teeth made of wood, bone, and metal into jaws.

Today, the procedure is much more efficient, with materials almost mimicking natural teeth’ look, feel, and texture! Dental implants offer a long-term solution to missing teeth.

The implant procedure consists of three distinct components: the implant, an abutment, and the crown. Titanium reacts very well with bone and is used to make implants.

 

A crown is a false tooth made of various materials attached to the implant via the abutment. The procedure itself can take months, but the result is usually a natural-looking, healthy smile!

Procedure

To determine whether dental implants are right for you, you must first understand how the dentist will integrate them into your life. The treatment entails sitting through a series of procedures with plenty of time for recovery.

As a result, it is a somewhat time-consuming process that could take months to complete. Your dentist will have a better idea of the length of the treatment after the initial consultation and x-rays and will outline each step in detail.

Your doctor must first install the implant. Some patients may not have enough bone density for this procedure, so that a bone graft may be required. The implant is seated beneath the gum and into the jaw but still requires strengthening.

Your jaw will heal for a few months as osseointegration causes the bone to form around the implant, making it the ideal location for a crown. In a subsequent procedure, the abutment will be inserted, and the doctor will attach the final replacement or a temporary false tooth, depending on the type of crown chosen. Some crowns must be made at off-site labs and can take up to two weeks to complete. While you wait, false crowns allow the area to heal.