Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?

If you need to replace a missing tooth, you typically have three options: dentures, bridges, or implants, with implants being by far the most expensive. Naturally, many people wonder: Are dental implants worth the cost? In this article, we discuss the main dental Implants benefits to help you make an informed decision.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?

In the majority of cases, dental implants are worth the cost as they are the most sophisticated method of dental restoration today. Let us look at the main benefits of dental implants in detail and compare them with other restorative options, such as dentures and bridges.

Dental Implants Prevent Jawbone Density Loss

One of the main benefits of implants that makes them superior to other dental restorations is that they prevent jawbone resorption (jawbone density loss). Jawbone resorption is a natural process that occurs when you lose your natural teeth for a long time. In fact, you can lose up to 20% of bone density in the first year after the loss of a natural tooth. Bone density loss leads to changes in the bite, teeth alignment, and facial structure.

Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone and fuse with it over time. As a result, they act similarly to the roots of your natural teeth and stimulate the bone, preventing resorption. Today, implants are the only dental restoration that can offer these benefits.

Dental Implants Offer Superior Comfort

Since implants fuse with the jawbone, they offer superior comfort, stability, and chewing force compared to restorations that rely on the adjacent teeth or gums for support. For example, dentures typically provide only 20% to 25% of natural biting and chewing force, while implants can provide up to 95% to 100%. People with dental implants usually do not require dietary restrictions and do not have to worry about the restoration slipping or irritating the soft tissues of the mouth. Additionally, dental implants can be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth and do not require any additional methods, unlike bridges or dentures.

Dental Implants Are a Long-Lasting Solution

Dental implants (the titanium post inserted into the jawbone) typically last for decades or even a lifetime. This means that you will need to replace only the crown about every 15 years, but you will not need to go through the surgery again. In comparison, dentures have to be changed every 5 to 7 years. Dental bridges can last up to 15 years, but because they rely on adjacent natural teeth for support, those teeth can also wear out faster and require future restorations.

Can Everyone Have Dental Implants

Even though the success rate of dental implant surgeries reach 98%, not everyone can have the surgery. There are several requirements for a successful dental implant procedure:

• You need to have good oral health, with no active tooth decay or uncontrolled gum disease.
• Your general health has to be good, with sufficient regeneration capacity. Conditions such as autoimmune diseases and diabetes can prevent successful health and implant osseointegration.
• You need to have sufficient jawbone density for the implant to be stable. However, in many cases, jawbone density can be restored with bone grafting before dental implant placement.

Get Dental Implants at Watt Antelope Family Dentist

If you are considering dental implants, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced family dentist at our office. We use state-of-the-art methods and high-quality materials to provide our clients with reliable solutions and help them restore and preserve their oral health. We are looking forward to your visit.