Why You Might 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 Lethbridge periodontists may be able to help alleviate some of your concerns about dental implants.
Practicality
Are you concerned about the time involved in maintaining your dental implants? Luckily, these dental restorations can be cared for the same as your natural 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 is 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.
Comfort
While it's true that surgical procedures will likely all come with some discomfort, you might be interested to know that dental implant patients report feeling less discomfort than those who have a tooth extracted.
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.
Affordability
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.
If you have a bridge placed, it will need to be replaced on average, every 5 years, and you may need to take time off work in order to properly 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 To Expect During Your Dental Implant Procedure
Your dental implant will be surgically fastened to your jaw bone, below the gum tissue. Once surgery is done, healing can take anywhere from 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.