WHY NOT TO GET A DENTAL IMPLANT?

There are several replacement options for missing teeth. The main tooth replacement options are dental implants, bridges, or dentures. The best treatment option for replacing one or more missing teeth is the placement of dental implants, as they are the most sturdy and closest thing to having your natural teeth. Unfortunately, not every patient is a candidate for dental implants. Take a look at the disadvantages of dental implants to find out if dental implants are the ideal treatment option for you.

Dental Implants are Costly
That’s right, dental implants are often not the cheapest option for replacing teeth. Replacing a full set of teeth with dental implants can cost tens of thousands of dollars, while a single tooth implant can cost a few thousand. When replacing one single tooth, the cost of an implant can compare to the cost of a dental bridge. Dental implants may be more affordable than you think. It is best to schedule an implant consultation to determine exactly how much dental implants will cost for your specific situation. With payment plan options, you might be able to make monthly payments that fit inside your budget.

Some Dental Insurance Plans Do Not Cover Dental Implants
Unfortunately, some dental insurance plans do not cover dental implants. We will take your insurance information at the time of scheduling your consultation so we can get a good idea of your insurance coverage prior to your initial appointment. If you want to know exactly how much your insurance will cover for implant services, you can give them a call directly, or we are happy to submit a pre-treatment estimate on your behalf.

Dental Implants are a Surgical Procedure
Placing a dental implant is a surgical procedure, as the implant is embedded in your jawbone. As with any surgery, there are risks and complications associated with dental implant surgery. We will go over the possible health risks prior to dental implant placement, as well as post-operative care instructions. Dental implant surgery has a very low complication rate, which is even lower when the patient closely follows the doctor’s post-operative instructions.

Dental Implants Can Have a Long Healing Process
Though dental implants can be placed in one day, the healing process can take a quite a while. Because the implant itself is embedded in the jaw bone, there is a period of osseointegration following the implant placement. This is where the jaw bone fuses to the implant, accepting it as part of the body. The integration period varies by patient, depending on many biological and environmental factors. During the implant integration period, there will be an open space where the tooth is missing. When this space causes a gap in your smile, we can make something temporary to cover the missing tooth during the wait period.

Dental Implants Require Good Bone Density
Because the implant is going to fuse to your jaw bone, being a candidate for dental implants will depend on your bone density in the area where the implant is to be placed. If you do not have substantial bone in that area, you may not be a candidate for dental implants. The good news is, bone grafting can help the bone density in the site. Bone grafting is where bone like substance is added to the jaw bone to increase the bone density in the area. Because Natural Dentist Associates is a holistic dental provider, we offer natural bone grafting prepared with natural platelets, bone growth factors, fibrin, and white blood cells taken from the patient who will be getting the bone graft.

Dental Implants Can Fail
Though dental implants have a very high rate of success, there is always a chance that the implant will fail. The most common reason that dental implants fail is from smoking. Tobacco and nicotine can prevent the bone from fusing with the implant and the lack of blood flow and oxygen can affect proper healing. We encourage patients to quit smoking before beginning implant surgery for best results and the highest rate of success.

The best way to determine whether dental implants are the best treatment option for you is by scheduling a consultation with a dental implant surgeon. At Natural Dentist Associates, we are happy to discuss your treatment options and help you weight the pros and cons of each.