If you are missing one or more of your teeth as a result of an injury, accident, illness, or decay dental implants might be a replacement option for you. Today, our Timmins dentists explain the reasons why you should consider dental implants to replace your missing tooth (or teeth).
Why You Should Consider Dental Implants
Dental implants are a way you can permanently replace your missing teeth. But, the dental surgery needed to place the implant often intimidates patients because they are worried about the associated costs, pain, and how invasive it is. If you are suffering from tooth loss and are contemplating different tooth replacement options, our Timmins dentists might be able to help clear up some of the concerns you may have regarding dental implants.
Practicality
While you may be worried about having to maintain your dental implants, unlike dentures (which require continual disinfection and special care at night), you can care for your implants the same way as you would your natural teeth.
If you practice a diligent and strong oral hygiene routine that is approved by your dentist, your implants will keep functioning as they are supposed to, without needing any special maintenance.
Dental implants require dental surgery, making the procedure somewhat more invasive than other tooth replacement options. However, in the long run, implants may require less maintenance than dentures or bridges, and in addition, recent advancements in dental technology and techniques have made the dental implant process easier than in decades past.
Minimal Discomfort
While all surgical procedures come with some level of discomfort, you might be interested in knowing that patients usually feel less uncomfortable after dental implant surgery than after having a tooth extracted.
In addition to this, placing your implant at the same time as your tooth extraction means you might feel less uncomfortable thanks to the implants themselves.
Sedation may also be an option for you if you are worried that you won't be able to relax during your dental implant appointments.
They May be More Affordable Than You Realize
Though you may have looked into dental implants before due to concerns over affordability, you may want to take a second look and consider their lifetime cost compared to other options. With dentures, consider extra costs that come with accessories, such as disinfectants, storage cases and more.
Bridges need to be replaced every five or so years, and you may have to take time off of work to recover.
The maintenance costs for bridges and dentures can add up over the years. And if you consider the fact that implants could last a lifetime, they might actually make more sense for you.
What You to Expect at Your Dental Implant Procedure
The implant is laid surgically into your jaw bone, underneath the gum tissue. After the surgery, healing will typically take between 3 to 6 months. The patient will then return to complete the procedure. At this time, the tooth replacement will be attached to the implant. The tooth replacement will be chosen based on the best option for you and may be a crown, a bridge or a denture. Each of these options will have the function and appearance of a natural tooth.