updated 11/03/2022
Our teeth are incredibly sturdy and can put up with potentially bone-crushing forces year after year. That said, teeth may eventually fail you or your loved one. This is especially true for older individuals and also those who don’t exercise proper oral hygiene. Fortunately, replacing a tooth or even several teeth is now possible and relatively straightforward with the use of dental implants. If you have questions, we’ll provide some answers below.
What are dental implants? Essentially, these are artificial teeth that will be placed in your mouth to complete your smile. Dental implants are either after a tooth has been knocked out or removed.
Dental implants are comfortable to wear and typically look very realistic. They’re sturdy and will often last for years, but they can break. Dental implants are sometimes more expensive than alternative treatments, but in quality, they’re hard to beat.
Are bone grafts always necessary for dental implants? No, but sometimes bone grafts are used to improve results. Are crowns dental implants? Crowns are part of dental implants. They are the top parts that look like teeth.
As hard and resilient as teeth are, they can still be broken or completely knocked out in certain situations. Tooth loss is still fairly common in the United States, whether it be from an athletic incident, fight or untreated tooth disease. Losing a tooth leaves a big gap in the mouth, and it can make people feel anxious about smiling or even interacting with others in a social situation. Luckily, there are a few cosmetic dental procedures available today at cosmetic dental clinics to restore missing or broken teeth and give patients their smiles back.
Cosmetic dental Implants are one such cosmetic dental treatment. They essentially involve drilling a titanium screw into the gum where the tooth is missing and then attaching a fake tooth to fill in the gap. Dental implants can be a great option for people who have lost teeth, but there are also many considerations that patients should think about before deciding if dental implants are best for them.
Pros of Dental Implants:
- Comfortable – One big advantage of dental implants over other types of cosmetic dental procedures is that they are more comfortable. Since they do not come in and out like dentures, they make it easier for patients to eat and talk. A dental implant is essentially a new tooth, and it acts just like one.
- Look Better – Dental implants are much more realistic than other types of fake teeth. Most are made out of porcelain, which has a color and texture very similar to that of a real tooth. Often times, people can’t even notice the difference between an implant and a real tooth.
- Usually Permanent – Dental implants are built to be permanent replacement fixtures in the mouth, so they do not need to be taken out before bed. More often than not, they last a lifetime. In fact, dental implants have about a 95% success rate.
Cons of Dental Implants:
- Breakage – One disadvantage of dental implants is that the structures used to keep the new tooth in place are susceptible to damage. Although the risk for breakage isn’t very high, the porcelain tooth, bridges and screws can break or become damaged, especially if the fixture experiences any trauma.
- Not a Quick Fix – Another downside to dental implants is that they are not usually a quick cosmetic dental procedure. Cosmetic dentists need to make a mold of the patients teeth, create a specialized replacement tooth, and most implants take between three and four months to set and heal.
- Expensive – Dental implants are not cheap, and most dental insurance plans don’t cover them since they are a cosmetic procedure. Implants can cost up to $3,000, and if other procedures are needed, such as bone grafting, the total costs can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
Dental implants have their pros and cons, and it is up to each patient and their dentist to decide which particular cosmetic dental procedures are the right solution for them. Read this website for more information.
