Are Teeth Implants Worth It? What You Need To Know

1 What is a dental implant?

1.1 Improved comfort

1.2 Improved appearance

1.3 Easier eating

1.4 Clearer speech

1.5 Improved oral health

1.6 Durability

1.7 Convenience

2 What about the disadvantages of teeth implants?

2.1 High cost

2.2 Possible complications

2.3 Surgical procedure

2.4 Big commitment

3 So, taking all of the advantages and disadvantages into consideration, are teeth implants worth it?

If you are missing a tooth or teeth there are several options available to help you restore your smile including dental bridges, dentures and dental implants. The latter has become the gold standard of missing tooth replacement but unfortunately, it’s also the most expensive way of replacing a missing tooth, at least initially. So the question is, are teeth implants worth it?

Is it worth paying the high price a dental implant command? Well, let’s take a closer look and you can form your own decision once you have read this article.

Let’s start with a brief explanation of dental implants

What is a dental implant?

While a dental implant is usually considered a modern dental procedure, you may be surprised to learn that implants have existed in some form or another since around 600 AD when Mayan skulls were found with pieces of shell acting as implants. Thankfully, implants have come on a long way since then and nowadays, a dental implant consists of a metal titanium post topped with a dental crown. Getting dental implants involves minor surgery but once the implants have fused with the surrounding bone, they become a permanent feature in the mouth and look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.

So now you know what a dental implant is, let’s get back to the question of “are teeth implants worth it?”

In answer to this question, it helps to be aware of the many benefits associated with getting dental implants. Benefits such as:

Improved comfort

Because implants become a part of you, they eliminate the discomfort of dentures and function just the same as your natural teeth.

Improved appearance

Because implants are placed into the bone to replace a missing tooth or teeth as opposed to dentures that sit on the bony ridge, they appear more natural and probably no one but your dentist will know that you even have a dental implant.

Easier eating

Patients may be interested to know teeth implants restore almost the same level of biting force as that of real teeth. This means that unlike with bridges or dentures, there’s no need to avoid crunchy or chewy food for the risk of breaking your appliance. What’s more, because implants remain stable there’s no danger of them slipping and making it difficult and uncomfortable to eat your food.

Clearer speech

When dentures become loose they can slip and slide which can affect a person’s speech. Dental implants, on the other hand, enable the wearer to speak clearly without worrying about slippage.

Improved oral health

A dental implant is a stand-alone procedure and unlike a dental bridge, for example, does not rely on other teeth for support.

Teeth that (in the case of a bridge) have to be modified to accommodate dental crowns to support the bridge. This can weaken them and make them more susceptible to tooth decay possibly compromising your oral health in the long term.

Dental implants are also easier to access and clean, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.

Durability

With proper care, a dental implant has the potential to last for two decades or more although the dental crown may need replacing after 10 to 15 years.

Convenience

Dental implants take away the embarrassment of ill-fitting dentures and messy adhesives to hold them in place. Also, there’s no need to take them out of your mouth at night to give your gums a rest.

What about the disadvantages of teeth implants?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and certain disadvantages associated with getting dental implants.

High cost

A dental implant can cost up to $6000 per tooth in Australia depending on the complexity of your condition and whether you need a bone graft or sinus lift. While this sounds high, in the longer term, an implant can be a cost-effective solution to a missing tooth – When you consider that dentures may need replacing every 5 to 7 years plus the additional cost of adhesives and special cleaning fluids, implants can seem quite a good investment.

Possible complications

Even though the success rate of dental implants is high at 95% there is the potential for complications. This is why it pays to choose an experienced dentist who has been placing implants successfully for many years.

Surgical procedure

The one thing that often puts people off getting dental implants is that they are a surgical procedure. However, with advancements in technology and techniques, implant surgery is now regarded as minor surgery and for a straightforward implant can be completed in under 30 minutes.

Big commitment

Dental implants are not a quick-fix solution to a missing tooth and the procedure from start to finish can take as long as 9 months. You need to commit to many dental visits during this time, mostly to check that your body is healing as it should before moving onto the next stage of the procedure. You also need to maintain good oral hygiene to help improve the lifespan of your dental implant(s). If you’re looking for a quick-fix solution to a missing tooth then a dental bridge or partial denture may be a better option.

So, taking all of the advantages and disadvantages into consideration, are teeth implants worth it?

We believe the answer is a resounding, yes! A beautiful healthy smile can transform your quality of life and restore your confidence. Here at DDSS/DDII, we utilise the latest digital dental implants to give you back your zest for life and offer a variety of flexible payment plans to help you spread the cost of several months or years.

Dental implants are an investment in your smile and from a life-changing perspective, we would suggest that they are worth every cent. Why not schedule your free dental implant consultation today to see how we can help you today.

Call us on (02) 8294 5812 today.

Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.