Are Dental Implants a Catch-All Solution for Tooth Loss?

Dealing with tooth loss can be challenging. Having a missing tooth can not only cause you to lose confidence in your smile, but it can also make tasks such as eating and talking difficult.

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Dental implants offer a tooth replacement option if you're dealing with tooth loss — but they’re not right for everyone. Here’s what to know before making a cosmetic dental appointment.

A dental implant is a metal post device that takes the place of your natural tooth root. Implants are anchored into your jawbone where you're missing a tooth. They can then support an artificial tooth that's designed to look like a natural tooth.

Dental implants can be a good solution for tooth loss, but they're not right for every situation. The following factors can help you determine whether you're a good candidate for dental implants:

• Dental health: Your gums and jawbone need to be in good condition to support a dental implant. If your jawbone isn't dense enough to support the dental implant, the procedure will likely fail. Bone grafts are an option, but they don't always work. You also need healthy gum tissue for additional support.
• Overall health: Since a dental implant is a surgical procedure, your general health is a factor in whether you qualify. Being in good health supports the healing process and can increase the success rate of your dental implants.
• Development: Dental implants are typically more successful in adults. Kids are still growing, so their jaws will likely change in size and shape. That could cause an implant to fail.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Implants?

If you're considering a dental implant, it's important to fully understand the implant procedure. While implants can be an effective option for replacing missing teeth, there are some potential downsides to consider. The following pros and cons of dental implants can help you make your decision.

Pros of Dental Implants

Some benefits of dental implants include:

• Appearance: A missing tooth can leave you feeling self-conscious. Dental implants let you fill in the spaces with artificial teeth to improve your smile, so no one knows about your tooth loss.
• Better functioning: Filling in a missing spot can make it easier to eat and speak well. An implant functions more like a real tooth, so it can often make those activities easier than they would be with dentures since dentures can move around.
• Long-lasting: Dental implants often last a lifetime if you practice good oral hygiene. This can make them a permanent solution to tooth loss.
• Easier care: You can treat your artificial tooth the same way as you treat your natural teeth. Dentures are often more work because you have to remove them and soak them to keep them clean.
• Protection of adjacent teeth: If you're missing a single tooth, you can get a dental implant without affecting the nearby teeth. Fixed bridges are sometimes used in that situation, but they require the dentist to grind the adjacent teeth to install the bridge.
• Oral health protection: Getting a dental implant can help preserve your oral health. It can prevent bone loss in your jaw and support the nearby teeth to keep them stable.

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Cons of Dental Implants

It's also a good idea to look at the potential drawbacks of dental implants, which include:

• Health requirements: If you experienced tooth loss due to decay, you could have poor overall oral health. You might not qualify for a dental implant if your jawbone and gums aren't healthy enough.
• Potential for infection or injury: It's possible for the area to become infected after the surgery. You could also experience nerve damage, sinus issues and damage to blood vessels or other teeth during the procedure.
• Failure: Some dental implants fail if they don't heal properly. This could mean you'll need another dental procedure to replace the missing tooth.
• Long process: You'll likely need to have several appointments over the course of a few months to get your dental implants. It's not a quick fix, but it can be a permanent option.

Your dentist can review your dental records and perform an exam to determine if dental implants will work for your situation. They can also answer your questions, address your concerns about implants and advise you on other tooth replacement options.