The Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
If you have one or more missing teeth and are actively seeking to fill in the gaps in your smile, you’ve probably read about dental implants. This innovative option for restoring lost dentition has been hailed by the dental industry as the gold standard of tooth replacement options. Dental implants simulate the complete structure of a natural tooth, both the above-gum crown portion and the root beneath the gum. Even though you’ve heard good things about dental implants, as a mindful consumer, you want to know all the facts before talking to your dentist. To help you learn more about dental implants, Dr. David Zelby, an Atlanta implant dentist, discusses some of the advantages and drawbacks of this revolutionary procedure.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Of course, a single procedure wouldn’t earn the accolades of an entire industry without offering patients a number of significant advantages above and beyond those offered by traditional dental prosthetics. Some of the advantages of dental implants include:
- Since dental implants replace tooth roots, they help maintain healthy bone density within the jaw.
- With proper care, dental implants can last anywhere from 20-40 years.
- Dental implants can be topped with crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures and can replace any number of missing teeth.
- Dental implants can restore optimal speaking and chewing ability. For instance, implant-secured dentures restore an average 90% of normal chewing ability as opposed to 10-20% restored chewing ability with removable dentures.
Drawbacks of Dental Implants
As with all dental procedures, dental implants do have a few drawbacks. For instance, dental implants are one of the more expensive restorative procedures and, unfortunately, most dental insurance either does not cover dental implants or will only cover a single part of the procedure, such as the cost of the prosthetic. Additionally, the amount of time required from start to finish for dental implant placement can range from as little as six months to as long as 12 months.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Not everyone qualifies for dental implant placement. Factors that could impact your candidacy for dental implants include:
- Age
- Children and younger teens cannot have dental implants placed because it could affect the proper growth of the jaw.
- Compromised jaw bone tissue
- Dental implants must be placed in strong, healthy bone tissue and people who have lost significant bone density may not qualify for implant placement. In some instances, though, performing a bone graft can strengthen a patient’s bone tissue enough to support implants.
- Lifestyle factors
- A record of poor oral hygiene and frequent use of tobacco products are two factors that will disqualify a person for dental implant placement. Both of these factors greatly increase the chances of implant failure.
Dental Implants with Your Atlanta Dentist
To learn more about whether dental implants might work for you, call Dr. David Zelby at (770) 955-0550. Dr. Zelby and the expert team at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta provide a wide range of restorative and cosmetic dentistry services to help you achieve the best smile of your life. Our Atlanta dentist office proudly serves patients in Marietta, Smyrna, East Cobb, Cobb County, Buckhead, Vinings, and Metro Atlanta.
