Have you lost one or more teeth due to decay, illness, accident or injury? In years past, you may have chosen other options, but these days dental implants have become more viable and affordable.
Why should I consider dental implants?
Dental implants are a long-term solution to a common issue: tooth loss. However, many people are put off by them because the dental surgery required to obtain them is often perceived as costly, painful, and invasive. If you have lost a tooth and are considering tooth replacement options, our Ottawa dentists may be able to allay some of your concerns about dental implants.
Practicality
Are you worried you won’t have time to maintain your dental implants? Unlike dentures (which require continual disinfection and special care at night), dental implants can be cared for in the same way as your regular teeth.
If you stick to a regular, diligent oral health routine approved by your dentist, your implants continue to function as they should – no special maintenance is required.
Dental implants necessitate dental surgery, making them slightly more invasive than other tooth replacement options. However, implants may require less maintenance in the long run than dentures or bridges, and recent advancements in dental technology and techniques have made the dental implant process easier than in the past.
Minimal Discomfort
Though no surgical procedure is without pain, you may be interested to know that patients typically experience less pain after dental implant surgery than after tooth extraction.
Plus, placing implants during the same appointment for your tooth extraction means you may notice less discomfort as a result of the implants themselves.
Sedation might also be an option if you're worried that you won't be able to relax during your dental implant appointments.
More Affordable Than You Might Think
Though you may have considered dental implants in the past due to affordability concerns, you may want to reconsider their lifetime cost in comparison to other options. Consider the additional costs associated with dentures, such as disinfectants, storage cases, and so on.
Bridges need to be replaced every five or so years, and you may have to take time off of work to recover.
The maintenance costs for bridges and dentures can add up over the years. Taken into consideration along with the fact that (if cared for properly) dental implants can last a lifetime, choosing implants might actually make sense for you.
What can I expect during the dental implant procedure?
The implant is surgically placed beneath the gum tissue in your jaw bone. Healing time after surgery is usually between 3 and 6 months. The patient will then be called back to finish the procedure. The tooth replacement will be attached to the implant at this time. The best option for you will be chosen for tooth replacement, which could be a crown, bridge, or denture. Each of these options will function and appear like natural teeth.
