An implant for teeth is a man-made substitute for the natural tooth root that is inserted into the jawbone to provide support for a prosthetic tooth (crown). While it has numerous advantages, it may not be suitable for everyone. Throughout the installation of dental implants, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the mouth. The whole procedure is performed through surgery.
Though the surgery usually takes up to 90 minutes, the entire process can last from 6 to 12 months, seeing as several dental appointments are required. Dental implants are suitable for the long-lasting and authentic look they provide you with for a missing tooth. Nevertheless, they may not be suitable for people who are unable to undergo dental surgery and unfortunately, they can be more pricey than other alternatives. Let us examine the pros and the cons of dental implants when compared to other dental procedures.
Benefits of dental implants
Whenever covered with a crown, the dental implants can resemble natural teeth and are typically very enduring, providing a high amount of advantages over the alternative treatments.
Durability
Lasting longer than any other option and boasting a success rate of over 97% for 10 years, the gold standard for treating missing teeth remains the titanium dental implant. Yet another study, but this time conducted in 2021 in a very large-scale, observed the lifespan of 10,871 implants over 22 years and researchers discovered survival rates for implants of:
- 98.9% after 3 years
- 98.5% after 5 years
- 96.8% after 10 years
- 94.0% after 15 years
By comparison, according to a 2021 review, complete dentures have an average lifespan of 10.1 years. Dental bridges, au contraire, generally need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years.
Stops bone loss
The jawbone in that region may experience reduced stress after losing a tooth, resulting in bone loss over the time as the body reabsorbs some of the one tissue. Nevertheless, dental implants can stop this from happening.
Studies and research have shown that the loss of 30% of alveolar ridge comes because of tooth loss- to be noted: the alveolar ridge is that part of the jawbone that houses the tooth socket. The bone loss happens mostly during the first six months,
Staying in the studies lane, let us also tell you that a 2016 review of studies discovered that dental implants are capable of helping preserve the alveolar ridge by simply reducing the bone resorption rate which is the destruction of the bone tissues prior to it being absorbed by the body.
Natural appearance and feel
An artificial root for a tooth, a dental implant can have a crown placed on top of it by dentists. This crown resembles and feels like a natural tooth, making it a more comfortable option than alternatives such as dentures. A study conducted in Sweden in 2016 surveyed 400 individuals by mail and discovered that 94% of the respondents reported being satisfied with the aesthetics of their implant.
Maintains the stability of neighboring teeth
Losing a tooth can result in adjacent teeth shifting towards the gap, leading this way to bite issues and difficulty during chewing. That is why dental implants are necessary: inserting an implant in the empty space can bridge the gap between teeth and maintain the well-being of neighboring teeth by preventing their displacement.
Restores the cosmetic appearance of your face
Jawbone loss following the loss of a tooth or teeth might modify your face. It could result in modifications such as:
- skin sagging
- sagging cheeks
- the appearance of being sunken
- misalignment of the teeth
If you are missing a lot of teeth, your facial alterations will be more obvious. Dental implants may effectively deter these alterations by preserving your jaw’s structural stability and reducing bone loss.
When speaking and chewing, it behaves similarly to genuine teeth
During chewing, a dental implant more closely resembles your real teeth than ordinary dentures or bridges. It could additionally aid in the preservation of your speech patterns by repairing holes in your teeth that cause alterations in the way air travels through your mouth as you speak.
Overdentures are detachable fake teeth that are attached to an implant (or many implants). In a 2019 study, researchers discovered that a group of 32 patients had improved speech intelligibility after having 5 or 6 micro implants to support overdentures following a 4-month adaptation period. Following therapy, several patients experienced slight difficulties with “s” sounds. Overdentures are sometimes known as implant-supported dentures.
Bite force is restored
Researchers discovered that implant-supported overdentures of the lower jaw boost biting force when compared to regular dentures in a 2016 study.
Enhances quality of life
Researchers observed no implant failures at a 3-year follow-up appointment among 98 patients who got implant-supported overdentures in a 2019 study. The researchers came to the conclusion that implant-supported overdentures could enhance living conditions while posing few dangers and having a high percentage of implant longevity.
Benefits of dental implants vs. bridges
Dental implants provide several advantages over regular dental bridges, including:
- They have a longer lifespan.
- They appear more natural.
- They tend to cause less decay in neighboring teeth.
- They do not necessitate the destruction of neighboring teeth.
Benefits of dental implants over dentures
Dental implants provide some advantages over regular dentures, including:
- They are more like your real teeth in appearance and feel.
- They require less upkeep on a daily basis.
- They may make chewing more comfortable.
- They typically have a longer lifespan.
- They may aid in the preservation of jawbone tissue.
Dental implant risks and disadvantages
The following are the main disadvantages of implants:
- They are typically more expensive than alternative treatment choices.
- These might not be covered by your insurance.
- They need dental surgery.
- The entire implantation process will most likely require many dentist appointments over the course of 6 to 12 months.
- They may need a dental bone graft initially.
Dental implants, like all surgical treatments, carry some hazards, including:
- harm to neighboring teeth or tissues
- hemorrhaging
- failure of an implant
- recession of the gums
- infection
- anesthetic allergic reaction
- tissue or nerve injury
Implant rate of failure in smokers have been found to be 11% and 5% in nonsmokers.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
An excellent prospect for dental implants is someone who has remarkably good oral health and a lost or removed tooth. If you want to determine whether you are suitable for dental implant surgery, contact Dr. Roland Zhuka for a free assessment of your condition.
Some factors that may preclude you from receiving a dental implant include:
- diabetes that has not been controlled
- disorders of blood clotting
- excessive smoking
- bone metabolic disease
- active cancer therapy
Dental implants are often more expensive than other treatments such as crowns or bridges, therefore they might not be the best alternative if you lack dental insurance.
Takeaway
Dental implants are long-lasting dental prosthesis that restore the tooth’s root. Crowns, dentures, or bridges may be employed to cover them. Although dental implants can provide natural-looking and long-lasting results, they are more costly than alternative treatment choices. A dentist can advise you on whether an implant is the best solution for you or whether a different dental prosthesis would be preferable. If you want to benefit from dental implants but you don’t want to spend a tremendous amount of money, consider dental tourism in Albania. Traveling for your dental treatment will allow you to receive high-quality dental care at a fraction of the cost!
English 
Italiano 
Shqip 
Français 