Dental implants are possibly the best method to replace missing teeth. Therefore, to help you get a better understanding of the procedure, here are some of the top benefits and risks of dental implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Do not rely on healthy teeth for support
With a traditional dental bridge, two healthy natural teeth are needed to be filed down in order to accommodate dental crowns and hold a prosthetic tooth in place. In contrast with this, dental implants are placed directly in the jaw. They don’t rely on healthy teeth for support. To hold the prosthetic tooth securely and permanently, an implant post is used to replace the tooth root. Since dental implants do not involve reducing other teeth, more of your natural teeth are left intact. This will improve your oral health in the long-term. In addition, the implants allow easier access between teeth, so cleaning them is not an issue.
- Permanent and comfortable
Two or more implants can be used to secure a partial denture, while four to six implants can be used to hold a full denture. The implants are designed to fuse with your bone, so they become permanent. Since they become a part of you, you no longer have to deal with the discomfort that removable dentures bring. You don’t have to worry about the implants moving within your mouth and cause you to slur your words like poor-fitting dentures. In addition, dental implants function like your own natural teeth, so you can eat foods with confidence and without pain or concern of them sliding around your mouth. Dental implants eliminate the inconvenience of removing dentures and using messy adhesives to keep them in place.
- Improve appearance and self-esteem
For some people, missing teeth makes them feel ugly and stops them from smiling. Also, traditional dentures and bridges can sometimes look unnatural. Dental implants can improve your appearance significantly by giving you natural-looking teeth that appear and feel like your own teeth. By getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you can get your smile back and you will feel better about yourself.
- Durable
Dental implants are very durable. They will last many years, especially with good care. If you take care of your oral health by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash, and attend regular dental check-ups, dental implants can last a lifetime.
- Promote jawbone retention
When teeth are missing, your jawbone can’t receive the special signals it needs. As a result, your body sends nutrients elsewhere, causing the jawbone to lose its density and becomes brittle. Since dental implants mimic the effect of tooth roots, it can maintain strong and dense bone tissue.
Risks of dental implants
Dental implants have an overall success rate of 95% to 98%. However, patients still need to be cautious of the risks during and following dental implant surgery. This may include:
- Implant failure due to improper placement of the implants in the jaw
- Nerve damage, which can result in numbness and tingling sensation
- Harm to surrounding tissue and teeth during the placement
- Issues with sinus cavity for upper implants
- Infection that happens during surgery and recovery
All of these risks can be avoided if you follow all the pre- and post-operative instructions. In addition, to get the best benefits, always make sure your dentist is specialized and qualified. Many dentists may be able to perform dental implants, but not all of them can do it well. If you don’t know where to find the best dentists, MyMediTravel will be more than happy to help!