Dental Implants – Pros and Cons

Modern dentistry has come a long way in the past decade or so, thanks in part to advances in medicine and its accompanying technology. One field of dentistry that has become much more prominent is that of dental implants. The science behind this field has improved greatly, making it a relatively normal option to take for patients that have lost a tooth or teeth. Still, it is not a viable option for everyone. This post will look at some of the benefits and problems associated with dental implants—but first, what are dental implants?

Implants

A dental implant is a metal anchor—usually made of titanium—that is attached directly to the jawbone. This mimics the natural root of a tooth, and creates an incredibly strong bond to the jaw. This anchor can then hold a replacement tooth, teeth or even full dentures.

Benefits

One of the biggest advantages of a dental implant is that it is better for your oral health. Implants can help maintain bone and gum tissue and stop the side-effects that having a missing tooth has on your mouth. Dentures, however, will not stop any of these issues from occurring.

From a comfort perspective, a dental implant will always fit correctly as it is fixed to the bone. This can help you chew better, appreciate your food more and eliminates any painful discomfort associated with missing a tooth. Again, dentures are unable to help here, as they often slide out of place and can make eating uncomfortable.

Finally, a good dental implant can last a lifetime with proper care. Their incredible durability makes for the next best thing to a real tooth if you are missing one.

Disadvantages

The biggest issue with dental implants at the moment is the price tag. On average, an implant will cost anywhere from $1000 to $3000 per tooth. If you are looking for a full set of implants, you can expect to pay upwards of $50,000. When compared to a set of dentures, which might cost $500 or $3000, implants are difficult to justify—especially if you require more than one or two.

Finally, the dental implant procedure is somewhat intense and invasive. For many, the idea of drilling bolts into your jawbone is a little heavy.