Have you lost one or more teeth due to decay, illness, accident or injury? Our Grande Prairie dentists discuss why dental implants may be an ideal solution to replace missing teeth.
Why you should consider dental implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution to a common problem – tooth loss. However, many people are intimidated by them because the dental surgery to get them is often seen as expensive, painful and invasive. If you suffer from tooth loss and are considering your tooth replacement options, our Grande Prairie dentists may be able to help alleviate some of your concerns about dental implants.
Practicality
Are you worried you won’t have time to maintain your dental implants? Unlike dentures (which require continual disinfection and special care at night), dental implants can be cared for in the same way as your regular teeth.
If you stick to a regular, diligent oral health routine approved by your dentist, your implants continue to function as they should – no special maintenance required.
Dental implants require dental surgery, making the procedure somewhat more invasive than other tooth replacement options. However, in the long run implants may require less maintenance than dentures of bridges, and in addition, recent advancements in dental technology and techniques have made the dental implant process easier than in decades past.
Minimal Discomfort
Though no surgical procedure is completely without discomfort, you may be interested to know that patients typically feel less discomfort following dental implant surgery than after a tooth extraction.
Plus, placing implants during the same appointment for your tooth extraction means you may notice less discomfort as a result of the implants themselves.
Sedation might also be an option, if you're worried that you won't be able to relax during your dental implant appointments.
More Affordable Than You Might Think
Though you may have looked into dental implants before due to concerns over affordability, you may want to take a second look and consider their lifetime cost compared to other options. With dentures, consider extra costs that come with accessories, such as disinfectants, storage cases and more.
Bridges need to be replaced every five or so years, and you may have to take time off of work to recover.
The maintenance costs for bridges and dentures can add up over the years. Taken into consideration along with the fact that (if cared for properly) dental implants can last a lifetime, choosing implants might actually make sense for you.
What you can expect during the dental implant procedure
The implant is laid surgically into your jaw bone, underneath the gum tissue. After the surgery, healing will typically take between 3 to 6 months. The patient will then return to complete the procedure. At this time, the tooth replacement will be attached to the implant. The tooth replacement will be chosen based on the best option for you and may be a crown, a bridge or a denture. Each of these options will have the function and appearance of a natural tooth.