Are one or more of your teeth missing due to illness, accident, injury or decay? Though you may have chosen other options in years past, dental implants have become a more affordable and viable alternative. Our Thornhill dentists offer some reasons to consider them.
Why should I consider dental implants?
Tooth loss is a common problem we can resolve with dental implants. However, many people are hesitant to say 'yes' to this treatment option because the dental surgery to get them is often seen as painful, invasive and expensive. If you have experienced tooth loss and are wondering which tooth replacement option is for you, our Thornhill dentists may be able to help address some of your concerns about dental implants.
Practicality
Are you concerned about whether you'd have time to maintain your dental implants? No need to worry. If you stick to a diligent, regular oral health routine approved by your dentist, your implants will continue to function as they should – no special maintenance required.
Unlike dentures (which you'd need to disinfect and give special care to at night), you can care for your dental implants in the same way as your regular teeth.
Dental implants do require dental surgery, making the procedure somewhat more invasive than other tooth replacement options. However, dental implants may require less maintenance long-term than dentures or bridges. In addition, recent advancements in dental technology and techniques have made the dental implant process easier than in years past.
Minimal Discomfort
Though no surgical procedure is completely without discomfort, you may be interested to know that patients typically feel less discomfort following dental implant surgery than after a 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 looked into dental implants before due to concerns over affordability, you may want to take a second look and consider their lifetime cost compared to other options. With dentures, consider extra costs that come with accessories, such as disinfectants, storage cases and more.
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.
At Dentistry on Green Lane, we offer financing and insurance options to help patients pay for required dental work.
What can I expect during the dental implant procedure?
The implant is laid surgically into your jaw bone, underneath the gum tissue. After the surgery, healing will typically take between 3 to 6 months. The patient will then return to complete the procedure. At this time, the tooth replacement will be attached to the implant. The tooth replacement will be chosen based on the best option for you and may be a crown, a bridge or a denture. Each of these options will have the function and appearance of a natural tooth.
