Dental implants are the most commonly recommended treatment for missing and damaged teeth. Their advantages over dentures and bridges include the following:
- They prevent future bone loss
- They support the teeth on either side of the implant to prevent them drifting into the gaps
- They support the teeth opposing the implant, preventing them from drifting away.
- They are a cost-effective option and last for decades.
However, like any dental treatment, dental implants do have a few disadvantages. While we don’t want to put you off dental implants, it is important to know any possible pitfalls, so you can make an informed decision about your health.
Here are some potential problems with dental implants you may have heard about:
- Implant surgery requires a lengthy healing phase
- Can be be more expensive than other dental treatments
- Failure of the implant’s mechanical components
- Fracturing of the dental crown
- Infection of the dental implant (peri-implantitis)
Let’s look a bit closer at each of these.
Surgery and Recovery from Dental Implants
Having dental implants can involve a number of check-ups and consultations, which means the process can take some time. After surgery, the implant site can take up to 9 months to fully heal, and during that time you may need follow-up appointments to ensure that everything is progressing as expected. This can feel daunting if you are considering implants for the first time.
The treatment does involve a surgical procedure. When your dental implant is placed, you will usually need stitches. For the first few days after the implant is placed, you will need to be careful with what you eat and drink. Our dental team will typically recommend a diet of soft, nutritious foods for the first few days, and it’s important to stay well hydrated.
However, the good news is that your mouth should only take a short time to heal and you should soon feel back to your normal self. Furthermore, once your new tooth is fitted it will look and feel completely natural.
Cost of Dental Implants
It’s completely normal to worry about the cost of dental treatment. In Preston, dental implants typically start from £2700, but we offer a range of flexible payment options to help make treatment more manageable.
While implants can seem like a bigger upfront investment, they are designed to last for decades. By replacing the tooth root and supporting the surrounding teeth, they can also help protect your long-term oral health and reduce the likelihood of more complex dental work in the future.
Dentures may appear cheaper initially, but they often need replacing every few years and require ongoing adjustments and maintenance.
Failure of Dental Implant Components
Generally speaking, implants are made up of four components:
- The implant itself, which is surgically placed into the bone
- The dental implant abutment which attaches to it, enabling the tooth to be fitted
- The screw attaching the abutment to the implant
- The permanent crown on top of the abutment
Dental implants are made of medical grade titanium. During the healing period, the implant gradually integrates with your jawbone in a process known as osseointegration. This helps create a strong, stable foundation, which means implant failure is very uncommon, occurring in 5-10% of cases.
Certain factors can increase the risk, including uncontrolled diabetes, or smoking. For this reason, we strongly advise you to stop smoking before implant treatment wherever possible. If you live in the Preston area and would like support with quitting, Smokefree Lancashire offers advice and helpful resources.
Sometimes, there may not be enough bone in the jaw to support an implant straight away. If that’s the case, our dentist may suggest that you need a bone graft to help strengthen the area. A bone graft is usually taken from your jaw or another part of the body (sometimes the hip). If this is needed, our friendly dental team in Preston will explain everything clearly and guide you through each step so you feel confident about your treatment, so you can feel confident about your smile.
Fracturing of the Dental Crown
Dental crowns are more likely to break if the crown is placed on top of an implant than a natural tooth, due to the fact that a tooth has natural cushioning through ligaments in your jaw. One way to prevent this is through trying not to bite on objects such as pens, or using your teeth to open things.
With that being said, alternatives to dental implants such as bridges or dentures do need replacement. Dentures may need replacement every few years as they can become worn or stop fitting as well as they did initially. If you look after your implants they can last 10-20 years or longer.
Infection
While dental implants cannot develop cavities, they can become infected. Like natural teeth, plaque can build up around them; if this is not cleaned, then it can irritate the gums. This can lead to inflammation and infection of the gum and bone around the implant – known as peri-implantitis.
To reduce the risk of infection, we recommend that you carry on brushing and flossing your teeth regularly after your implants have been fitted. If you live in Preston and have any concerns or pain after your implant has been fitted, we are here to help.
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Do You Recommend Dental Implants?
We do recommend dental implants. Implants provide a safe, long-term solution for your missing teeth, and are designed to look and feel exactly like the originals. At Holly Dental, we will provide you with a fully costed treatment plan and will keep you informed of all your options, which could include alternatives such as dentures or bridges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental implants painful?
Some pain after an implant procedure is normal. However, this should subside after a few days and can usually be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen. If you are still feeling pain after a week, please contact us.
Can I have dental implants if I’m diabetic?
Usually, yes. However, if you have diabetes that is poorly controlled, this could put you at more risk of infection and other complications when your implant is fitted. During your consultation, we will go through the benefits and risks of dental implants and help you decide on the best treatment option.
Can I switch from dentures to implants?
Yes! This is usually possible – many of our patients have made the switch after having dentures for years, with excellent results. However, for implants to have the best chance of working properly, we will need to ensure you have enough bone in your jaw; this may involve having a bone graft. It is also important that any gum disease is treated before your implants are fitted – we will help you do so.
How long will my implant take to heal?
Everyone’s body is different, so the healing period will be different for everyone. However, usually it takes around 9 months for the bone to heal in a healthy adult; after this, your new tooth can be fitted.
