Dental implants provide the second-best alternative to actual teeth. They look, they sound, and they behave like your natural teeth, which means you can smile with confidence once you have them.
Dental implants can offer even better value in the long run than conventional denture options.
When a person receives dental implants for the first time, they can almost immediately experience the unusually natural comfort and stability offered by implants. This comfort and stability are the main reasons why dental implants are so popular.
Here are five main reasons why dental implants are one of our most popular treatments for tooth loss.
Preserve and Protect the Jawbone
If there are voids left in the mouth after losing teeth, the jaw under them may deteriorate and compromise the stability of the surrounding teeth. Dental implants are the only dentures that stimulate the growth of new bones while preventing additional bone loss.
Unlike dental bridges which demand that adjacent teeth be ground so that the bridge can be anchored, implants only need treatment in the immediate area of where the tooth was lost.
Natural Look and Comfortable Fit
Dental implants look, feel, and act like your natural teeth. Additionally, implants give patients the courage to smile, eat, and engage during social events. People do not need to think about their missing teeth or their prostheses falling out.
Improved functionality
Another main advantage of dental implants for most people is the improved functionality. If you wear dentures, eating and biting can be problematic or painful. Your dentures may come loose or fall out of the mouth at the wrong times. Your denture may also break, leaving you toothless for several days or even weeks while you wait for repairs.
However, dental implants are permanently attached to the jawbone. This tooth replacement works like your natural teeth. You never have to risk falling or breaking dental implants. Your biting, chewing, eating, and talking will be restored. Not to mention, your daily tasks will return to normal, just like before you lost your tooth/teeth. With dental implants, you can enjoy your favorite foods or dishes without worrying about your dentures falling into your mouth or falling apart.
High Success Rate
Dental implants are much more robust and safer than other replacement options. They have the highest success rates. In fact, according to the latest statistics, the success rate is about 98% for dental implants. Dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. Since they are durable, there is no slipping, breaking, or falling out of the mouth.
They Last a Lifetime
While some other prosthetic treatments need to be replaced every five to 10 years, dental implants are designed to last for several decades if properly cared for. Although implants are a big investment from the very beginning, you don't have to invest in maintenance beyond regular oral care and good dental hygiene.
Disadvantages of Dental Implants
One of the main disadvantages of dental implants is that the treatment from beginning to end lasts longer than any other procedure. If a damaged or broken tooth has not yet been removed, you should have it removed. Then, you need to wait about two to three months before the surgeon can place the implant and ensure a healthy bone around the implant.
Thereafter, you will have to wait about two or three months more for the implant to heal and connect with the bone. In the next phase, you’ll need to wait two weeks for the tooth crown to be made and then put on top. This is a long time compared to a traditional bridging treatment that usually takes a maximum of three months from start to finish.
Additionally, implants cost more than a bridge, even though they are cost-effective in the long run because they have a longer shelf life. Implants cannot have cavities, but they can negatively impact your gums if they are not well-maintained.
As you can see, there are so many obvious reasons why many New Zealanders are opting for dental implants instead of the more common tooth replacement solutions. Admittedly, dental implants are the more expensive solution, but the rewards are well worth the cost.