Pros and Cons

With dental technology improving all the time, there’s really no need to worry about the affect a missing tooth can have on your entire mouth. Knocked-out or decayed teeth can be very problematic, even causing the bone in the jaw to deteriorate to the point that the shape of the face starts to break down, so any technique that replaces the affected tooth could help a great deal. Teeth implants are a revolutionary treatment that builds a synthetic tooth from the root to the crown, without the need for dentures or other appliances that sit along the gum line. This type of dental procedure can be highly effective, if properly carried out, but it’s always good to examine both sides of the treatment, so let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons associated with teeth implants.

What are the pros of having teeth implants fitted?

Dental implants have been around for a few years, but it’s only recently that they have really taken off in the UK, as more and more people realise they can have a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth.

Lifespan – There’s nothing temporary about teeth implants, a good quality set can last over twenty years without issue, providing they are properly care for during that time. Dental bridges and false teeth do have their uses, and can be very effective with patients who aren’t looking for a treatment of a more surgical nature, but they don’t provide the jaw bone with the same stimulation as a dental implant, and they can often cause a whole new set of problems when they come loose or irritate the gums. Teeth implants are bonded directly into the bone underneath the gums, so when they are fixed firmly in place, they look and function just like your natural teeth – after a while, you won’t even notice the difference.

Hardwearing – Unlike crowns or veneers, teeth implants are fixed into the bone, not just attached to the surface of the teeth. The ‘root’ is made from a titanium rod, which is incredibly durable and won’t succumb to rust or infection. It’s necessary to use such hardwearing materials if the implants are to last longer than a few years, as they have to be able to withstand the normal action of biting and chewing without breaking down. The human jaw puts a lot of pressure on the teeth on a daily basis, implants are capable of performing under the same weight as a normal tooth, without the patient feeling any change in their bite.

Natural looking – By eliminating the need for any wires or devices anchoring on remaining healthy teeth, implants make for a much more natural finish after they have been fixed in place. The crown placed on the end of the rod has to be matched to the colour and shade of the other teeth so that it doesn’t stand out as a synthetic tooth, and can be replaced if it starts to appear false as the rest of the teeth begin to age. The crown can also be specially polished so that it has a translucent quality to it, resembling the appearance of natural enamel.

What are the cons of having teeth implants fitted?

Most surgical treatments like this come with a downside, it’s not necessarily going to be a serious risk to your life, but you should always be aware of what you are undertaking and the long-term implications.

Cost – Teeth implants are quite expensive, especially when compared to other devices used to replace missing teeth. They are a fantastic investment, if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford them, but unfortunately money is an issue for the majority of the adult population in the UK. It might be worth organising some sort of finance plan with your clinic if you only need one or two implants putting in, but if you have numerous teeth missing; you had better start saving if you want new, permanent teeth.

Surgical element – The incisions made into the gum line to implant the titanium rod have to go directly through the tissue and into the bone, if the root is going to properly bond – this is significantly more invasive than other techniques, which usually only require moulds of your teeth or some slight reshaping. This surgical element can often be off-putting, but a skilled dentist should be able to fit your implants quite swiftly, without too much trauma to the gums. Rest assured, if you decide to have dental implants, you will be completely anaesthetised throughout the whole procedure. For nervous patients, you could talk to a member of staff at the Pearl Dental Clinic, in London; they offer several types of anaesthetic, along with some sedation methods that could help you keep calm during your operation.

Skill – Oral surgeons have to undergo specialist training to fit implants, so it’s not always easy to find a clinic that’s certified to provide them. Because the new techniques are only just coming onto the market in the UK, there aren’t that many surgeries that have the time and money to gain the necessary qualifications. As the service comes into demand, it may be that more clinics are able to provide teeth implants to their patients in the UK.

Lengthy treatment process – It normally takes at least six months for dental implants to bond enough with the jaw bone, then the crowns can be fitted and the transformation is complete. It can be quite difficult for some patients to go about their daily life as normal – particularly during the first few weeks after surgery. The gums have to heal sufficiently in order to hold the implant steady in its socket; it takes a substantial amount of time before the roots are solid enough to begin functioning as a tooth. If your dentist advises you that you are suitable for immediate implants, you might not have to wait at all for the crowns to be added, but most surgeons prefer to wait until the gums and bone have healed to some degree, before continuing the treatment.