Understanding Dental Implants: Are They the Right Solution for You?

A bridge relies on the surrounding teeth for support, which can cause damage to neighbouring teeth over time. A denture is also reliant on adhesive to stay put, which can make it less reliable.

An increasing number of patients are turning to treatments like dental implants to overcome these challenges. A dental implant offers a replacement tooth that looks, feels and functions just like a natural tooth. This is why it is fast becoming one of the most popular options to replace missing teeth.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is an innovative dental treatment designed to replicate the function of a natural tooth. A small titanium implant is placed in the jawbone where it fuses with the bone to create a sturdy anchor. The top of the implant holds an abutment that allows your dentist to attach a crown, bridge or full denture.

Once the procedure is complete, the dental implant acts just like a real tooth. The force of your bite is absorbed by your jawbone, which means that the bone remains functional and strong. This can avoid the risk of bone loss which might lead to a sunken appearance or a change in facial symmetry.

This procedure is also permanent. While you might need to replace the crown or denture over time, the implant part is designed to last a lifetime with the correct care.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

The dental implant procedure takes around 3-6 months to complete, which makes it much longer than alternative treatment plans. But once complete, individuals can enjoy a number of key benefits, including:

• Dental implants cannot shift, fall out or irritate your mouth like dentures might. This security can help individuals to feel more confident when eating, drinking, speaking or smiling.

• No foods are off limits with dental implants. You can continue to enjoy a wide range of foods without worrying about damaging your implant or hurting your gums. This can encourage you to continue enjoying a wide and varied diet.

• This treatment offers natural-looking results. With dentures and bridges, you might worry about the treatment looking unnatural. A dental implant is designed to look and feel natural, and the gum is contoured around the restoration to help deliver a seamless restoration.

• The time and cost of a dental implant can help to encourage individuals to take good care of their oral health. Investing in your smile is one of the best ways to encourage better oral health habits.

What are the downsides of dental implants?

While dental implants might be an excellent solution for lots of people, there are lots of factors to consider before choosing this treatment plan.

Dental implants don’t offer a quick fix solution. The treatment takes multiple months to complete, so if you’re looking for a quick fix you might be better choosing a bridge or denture.

It’s also not suitable for everyone. Those with low bone density might require additional treatments before they can have dental implants. This could increase the total cost of the treatment and how long it takes.

There is also a risk that the implant could fail. Failure to care for your implant correctly could lead to a condition called peri-implantitis. This can cause the implant to become loose in the socket and eventually fall out.

Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

To find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, your best bet is to book an appointment with our implant team. We can take detailed images of your mouth and jaw to assess if you could find relief from the discomfort of missing teeth with dental implants.

In general, you will need to have good overall oral health with no signs of gum disease. If you have any presence of gum disease, we can help you to get this under control before starting dental implant treatment.