Tooth Implants: Pros and Cons

Missing teeth are detrimental to your physical health and your emotional wellbeing. Over time, unfilled gaps from tooth loss can weaken your jaw bone, cause your remaining teeth to shift, and in extreme cases, alter the structure of your face. On an emotional level, missing teeth can cause self-esteem issues, preventing you from smiling and engaging in social behaviour as you did before tooth loss.

Dental implants are a long-term solution to these problems, offering a modern way to replace missing teeth. A dental implant isn’t the right tooth replacement option for everyone, but depending on your oral health, it’s worth examining tooth implants pros and cons to help you decide if implants are right for you.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant, also known as a tooth implant, is designed to look like a natural tooth. Tooth implants are a long-term solution consisting of three parts:

• the implant (usually a titanium rod);
• the abutment;
• the crown (usually porcelain).

They look and function like natural teeth, so they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice for adults with tooth loss. But how do you know if tooth implants are the right solution for you?

Tooth Implants Pros

To decide if dental implants are right for you, weigh the pros and cons and talk to your dentist about dental implant surgery. There are plenty of reasons to move forward with dental implant surgery if your dentist believes you are a candidate.

Implants are Easy to Maintain

Tooth implants are a long-term solution to tooth loss that you can maintain the same way you clean your natural teeth, making them relatively low maintenance.

Implants Look Natural

A dental implant looks and acts like a natural tooth and withstands normal biting forces, helping you regain full functionality when eating, speaking and socialising.

Implants Help You Speak and Smile

With missing teeth, you may feel hesitant to smile when you walk into a room, or in some cases, they may even impact your speech. Dental implants provide the support to help you talk, laugh and smile normally.

Implants Improve Your Oral Health

Perhaps the most significant benefit of dental implants is how they improve your oral health. A dental implant can preserve bone density because the titanium implant rod⁠ (another site) mimics a tooth root and fuses to your jaw bone. The presence of a dental implant also protects the teeth on either side of the gap. When this space remains open, there is less support for the surrounding teeth and more opportunities for bacteria to impact them on all sides and grow in your gum socket.

Tooth Implants Cons

As with any dental treatment, there are downsides to weigh up.

Long Treatment Time

The most significant deterrent for many people is the time commitment that this procedure requires. From beginning to end, the entire process can take around 6 to 9 months, depending on the complexity of the individual case. The reason it’s so drawn out is the implant process happens in stages.

First, your dentist takes multiple X-rays and models of your mouth and jaw to prepare for the surgery. Then you’ll have a first procedural appointment where the dental implant rod is placed inside your jaw bone⁠ (another site). After this stage, there is a long healing period while you wait for the titanium implant to fuse with the jaw bone in a process called osseointegration. This can take from 3 to 6 months.

After this time, you’ll return to the dentist for another minor procedure where the abutment connecting the implant rod to the crown, is placed and impressions are taken for your crown. Our lab upstairs then makes your crown, and you return to have it placed.

Higher Initial Cost

The cost of dental implant surgery may also give people pause when considering this option. It’s a more costly solution than dentures, but it’s also long-lasting. Because of their durability, they’ll require less frequent repairs or replacements; the implant can last many years with good care, while the crown on top may need replacing over time. See what implants cost.

Tooth implant pros and cons

Dental Spot is Here to Help

After considering tooth implants pros and cons, the next step is to visit your dentist to assess your oral and jaw health to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.