Should I get dental implants or dentures?
Well, it depends on your situation and priorities. Firstly, a dental evaluation is crucial for the assessment of the teeth and understanding of the patient’s needs. A dentist guides the patient according to their dental situation and personal preferences. There are other alternatives to dental implants but they do not replace the entire tooth structure. Implants on the other hand replace the whole tooth along with its root.
You should get an implant if the following situations apply to you:
- If you want long-term dental protection
- Your oral health is a priority
- You want to improve your smile
- A lengthy procedure is not an issue for you
- You are considering implants due to missing teeth
A missing tooth is usually the first sign for someone to consider implants. If currently, you’re thinking about getting implants, get in touch with a qualified cosmetic dentist.
However, certain other factors also matter such as the condition of the gums and bone density. Gum disease like gingivitis weakens the gums and cannot support an implant. With perpetual gum diseases, implants are mostly not successful but the chances are low.
A thorough dental evaluation gives the oral surgeon and patient clarity about the possibility of implants. At Dentfix, we make sure our patients are aware of everything before any dental advice. Our staff weighs all the pros/cons before recommending any solutions. Meet our staff and talk to the experts to know more about your dental situation before choosing any dental procedure.
You want long-term dental protection
If someone is asking themselves should I get dental implants, they must also think about other restoration options. While there are other alternatives to dental implants, they are not exactly the most long-lasting solutions.
Dentures and bridges are the most common alternatives to dental implants. Many patients prefer them because they are cheaper but they are not as durable as implants. On average, dentures and bridges last for 5 to 8 years whereas, implants last for at least 15 years or more.
Dentures and bridges also do not replace the entire structure of the tooth as implants do. Therefore, there are higher chances of decay and infection. With implants, the entire structure of the tooth is replaced so the chances of periodontal disease are much lesser. Many patients choose implants for longevity and better oral health. So if you are looking for a more effective solution, implants are better for you.
Your oral health is a priority
The consequences of losing a tooth or teeth are massive in the long term. A lot of people do not realize the importance of healthy teeth until it is too late. The approach ‘prevention is better than cure’ works great in minimizing or preventing huge problems. For instance, if you leave a missing tooth for a long, your entire natural teeth are at risk because of the gap.
Implants restore the health of your teeth by replacing the entire tooth with its core. They are known as long-term investments because they bring back real teeth to their original state. Implants solve many dental problems, such as alignment irregularities, cavity formation, plaque buildup, tooth decay, and cracks.
You want to enhance your smile
Your smile says a lot about you and is the first thing people notice about you. Implants help brighten and correct your smile to make it more attractive. If your smile is not satisfactory due to missing teeth or broken teeth, implants help rebuild and transform it. It is particularly frustrating when the front teeth face an issue because they affect your confidence.
Implants restore the complete structure of the tooth so you don’t have to worry about them looking fake. They match with the rest of the teeth in a very realistic way so nobody can tell if you have them. This is what we call a win-win situation, natural appearance, and improved oral health.
A lengthy procedure is not an issue for you
We already know that dental implant surgery is a bit longer than other procedures. If it is something you can handle to achieve a dazzling and beautiful smile, implants are for you. Rest assured, the results are completely worth going through the long process.
The dentist needs to check the health of your teeth before placing implants. The process is longer than the other procedures because, after the insertion of the implant, the gum tissue and the bone need to heal fully. If the patient needs a bone graft or sinus lift, the healing process may be longer. Since implants allow reconstructing the smile naturally, it is worth investing your time and energy.
Is everyone a candidate for dental implants?
Before getting implants, every factor is taken into consideration. From the patient’s age to their habits to dental issues all are important factors.
Age Factor makes a difference
Usually, age is not a huge concern when getting implants but there are a few things that need attention. For example, patients under 18 are sensitive because their jaw is still developing, and placing an implant is risky. However, the situation varies from patient to patient because everyone’s growth levels are different. Therefore, dentists thoroughly check via X-rays to see if the patient’s bone structure is still developing or not.
On the contrary, if the patient is over the age of 80, there are other concerns to think about. Although the chances of complications are low, in some cases, patients face certain health problems. These health issues include osteoporosis or diabetes – conditions directly affecting bone quality and density. In most cases, however, implants are doable without any complications.
Patient’s dental habits
Implants are doable in almost all cases except the ones where patients are unlikely to take care of. Most of the time, in such cases patients are heavy smokers. Maintenance plays a big role in the success of implants so if a patient ignores it, there can be complications. However, it is a controllable factor, and if patients decide to change their habits, there is not much to worry about.
Dental Issues
Sometimes the oral health of a patient poses the risk of implant failure. Every patient is different and their dental history matters a lot when getting implants. If you are currently asking yourself: ‘Should I get dental implants?’, it is time to visit your dentist for a dental evaluation.
For implants, dentists check if you have healthy gums and a healthy jawbone to support the implant. If you have any periodontal diseases such as gingivitis or tooth abscess, implant failure is possible. Therefore, your oral health before the surgery determines if you are a good candidate for implants.
What happens if I don’t get implants and other questions
If you decide not to get implants, you always have other restoration options, such as dentures or bridges. However, they are not as long-lasting as implants because implants replace the entire natural tooth. Moreover, if you don’t do anything about tooth loss, there are repercussions.
There are long-term effects of leaving a missing tooth as it is. The effects appear in the form of cracked teeth, gum infections, bone deterioration or bone loss, etc. Therefore, we advise against leaving the missing tooth as it is.
Who does the best implants?
For implants of your choice, you need to look for a qualified aesthetic dentist. Aesthetic or cosmetic dentists are experts in implants and are capable of giving you the right information. If you already have a dentist, discuss your options and preferences with them. If you are clueless, you can also reach out to our dentists, who have extensive experience in implants.
What should be the most important factor if you want implants?
The most important factors when thinking about getting implants are your budget and dental situation. If you have a missing tooth and there is damage because of it, an implant is necessary. You must also think about your budget because you can’t decide otherwise if implants are feasible for you. There are other restoration options too such as dentures and bridges or dental crowns. Ultimately, it is entirely up to you and it is better to choose according to your needs and personal preferences.
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