Five pros and cons of dental implants

Are there empty spaces in your smile? Do your teeth require removal? Dental professionals advise addressing these gaps in the smile to keep the remaining teeth from changing location and to avoid any potential difficulties with speaking or eating. Dental implants are a top choice when replacing a lost or extracted natural tooth. Drs. Emily Andre and Frankie Thatcher believe these ceramic posts are often the best choice for many patients. However, as with anything, they come with pros and cons. Let’s look at dental implants’ advantages and disadvantages to help you decide if they are right for you!

Five pros of dental implants

• Eat your favorite foods. With quality dental implants, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying about damage or slipping a full denture. Implants are stable and strong, allowing patients to enjoy steaks, apples, and other foods often not recommended for denture wearers.
• They are easy to care for because they are just like natural teeth and require the same care. Patients are advised to brush and floss their teeth as directed and make routine visits to Gentle Dental Care for cleanings and evaluations. 
• Prevent the natural loss of bone. Once placed, dental implants stimulate bone growth in the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This prevents the jaw area from sinking, which full-time denture wearers often experience over time.
• Implants look and function like natural teeth. They meld with the jawbone, allowing them to become one with the smile and function their best. When covered with cosmetic porcelain restorations, they also look like your natural teeth!
• Permanent solution. With proper care and routine visits to our office, dental implants will last a lifetime, making them a smart investment for many of our patients. 

Five cons of dental implants

• Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. For the procedure to be successful, candidates must have sufficient bone in the jaw. 
• Multiple appointments are needed. Several visits are required during placement and restoration, which can make it difficult for busy patients to attend their necessary appointments. 
• Potential risk of complications. As with any medical or dental procedure, there are risks of complications that should be discussed before undergoing surgical placement.
• Surgery is required. Dental implants are placed during oral surgery and require anesthetics and sometimes sedation to ensure the patient is comfortable throughout the process. This includes healing and downtime, allowing the implants to meld with the bone. 
• Some patients find dental implants prohibitive. Although they cost more than dentures and bridges, they last a lifetime, which can often make them worth the investment for patients who are looking for permanency in their tooth replacement options.

Benefits of ceramic implants vs. titanium implants

Our practice uses ceramic dental implants instead of traditional titanium implants for several different reasons. They are a great metal-free alternative that has better visual appeal and is also biocompatible with human bone. They are similar in cost to titanium implants but have added benefits that make them a wonderful solution for our patients. 

Where can I find a good dentist offering dental implants?

If you live in or around Arkansaw or Menomonie, Wisconsin, we advise you to learn about dental implants as a solution for missing and extracted teeth. Call one of our two office locations—Menomonie (715) 600-9004 or Durand (715) 230-3838—to book an initial evaluation with Drs. Emily Andre and Frankie Thatcher to learn more!

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