Dental Implants – The Case For, And Against
A straightforward summary of the pros and cons of undergoing dental implant placement to replace missing teeth.
Although the use of dental implants has increased over the last ten years or so, there are probably still a lot of people who aren’t sure if this would be the right thing for them if they needed to replace missing teeth. Some of the details of the procedure might put a few people off perhaps, but this should also be weighed up against the many benefits that they provide.
In today’s blog, we take a look at what having dental implants might mean for our Wickford patients and reasons why they might not be everyone’s first choice, at least initially.
Briefly, what are dental implants?
For anyone who doesn’t know what dental implants are, a very simple explanation follows. Dental implants are a small ‘screw like’ object which is placed into the bone in the jaw in order to replicate the root of a tooth that has been lost. This then fuses with the bone over a short period of time, and once this is complete, a dental crown is attached to the implant to provide you with a strong and secure replacement tooth.
The cases for dental implants
Strength and stability – if you ask people to name something that the alternative to implants, i.e. dentures, are well known for, most would probably say moving in the mouth or making some foods difficult to eat. This can be true and is a real benefit of dental implants. Once an implant has been placed and fully integrated with the bone tissue, the crown can be attached and the tooth will remain stable and enable you to eat any food that you could eat with healthy natural teeth. They also look natural too.
Longevity – dentures often need repairing or adjusting. Dental implants, on the other hand, rarely require any further treatment providing that you take care of them as you should; essentially the same as you would do your own natural teeth. Your implants can last for twenty years in this situation, and very often more than that.
A ‘one off’ treatment – we will address the procedure a little later but it can be a factor in some people’s decision not to have this treatment. It is worth remembering though, that this is a one time procedure and once completed and the tooth integrated, you can more or less forget about it and get on with your life as you would with natural teeth. Overcoming uncertainty about the procedure can give you a lifetime of a natural looking and strong replacement tooth without the issues that some denture wearers experience.
Easy cleaning – dentures are fiddly to clean and require their removal for brushing and also soaking overnight. Teeth implants require exactly what you (should) do with your own natural teeth. Good quality brushing twice a day, using dental floss to prevent problems occurring between the teeth and six monthly visits to the dental hygienist at the Cygnet Dental Practice to have your teeth professionally cleaned. If you maintain this, you should have many years of healthy dental implants.
Bone retention – when a tooth is lost, the bone in which it was formerly held starts to reduce as it no longer needs to fulfil the role and is better used elsewhere in the body. This produces small changes in the shape of the face which can create an ageing effect. It is also one reason why dentures sometimes become unstable. With a dental implant, the implant replaces the tooth root and therefore bone loss is no longer an issue.
The cases ‘against’ implants
Prior procedures may be required – while most patients can have a dental implant placed straight away, a small number may require a prior procedure to enable this. This usually occurs when there is insufficient bone available for the implant to be placed into. This can often be rectified through a prior bone graft or sinus lift. This shouldn’t deter you though and if you are considering dental implants, your dentist will be able to advise if you would need this done and discuss it further with you before you make a decision whether to go ahead or not.
Nervous patients – there is no getting away from the fact that this is an invasive procedure and one that can last longer than other treatments. It is understandable that some people feel anxious about this. Our advice is to talk to one of our Wickford implant dentists who will be able to discuss this with you. With modern equipment, skilled dentists and powerful local anaesthetics, any discomfort should be kept to a minimum and, as mentioned earlier, it is a one off treatment that can really make a difference.
Sports participants – if you regularly play sports, and especially those where contact is almost inevitable, you might be better advised to delay having implants. A facial blow in a game could damage the implant and bone it is placed into. A mouthguard would help but you might wish to consider dentures which can be removed before a game and delay having implants until you have ‘retired’.
We hope that these straightforward explanations are of help. Our dentists are always happy to discuss the implant procedure or any questions that you have related to them, with no obligation to go ahead. In our opinion, they are a superior choice over dentures for the reasons mentioned above. If you would like to book an initial consultation to discuss this, why not give the Cygnet Dental Practice a call on 01268 733078.