DENTAL STUDENT BLOG POST: Why are Implants my Best Option for Missing Teeth?

Implants may have been something you’ve heard of in the past, but never really understood the advantages of. “Doesn’t it involve drilling into bone?,” you might be thinking. “That sounds painful! I don’t want to go through something that drastic.”

In fact, there are a significant number of advantages to implants that really make it worth it. Here are just a few of them.

Some people think of pain when they hear the word “surgery”. But the procedure to place implants is actually quite painless! The sensation of pain requires nerve endings to send the information to your brain. But the area of bone we work in doesn’t have any painful nerve endings there! Moreover, it’s usually movement past nerve endings that sends pain signals to the brain – but once the implants are fixed into bone, there’s no movement at all! So rest assured, pain is not a concern when it comes to implants.

Dentures are another option for replacing missing teeth, but at the end of the day, they just don’t feel the same. However with implants, because they’re embedded into bone like the roots of our natural teeth, the sensation of eating and chewing is much more natural than with dentures. Denture wearers often complain of irritation, feelings of something foreign in their mouths, and movement of the dentures. They feel embarrassed about the possibility of them coming loose around others, and of having to take them out at night before bed. Implants are fixed in the mouth, so none of those are a concern!

One of the biggest advantages of implants is the vast improvement in quality of life. Missing teeth can really affect someone’s appearance. How many of us know people who refuse to show their teeth when they smile? Or those who refuse to eat certain foods, or have lost the joy of enjoying a delicious meal with friends and family? What implants can give you is the convenience of a permanent solution. Whereas with dentures that have to be relined, recreated, and replaced every few years, as long as you’re taking good care to clean around the implants and maintaining good brushing and flossing habits, you can expect your implants to last decades. They really are the best options we have for replacing the permanent teeth you’ve lost!

So when is the best time to get your implants done? The sooner the better. We’re not trying to upsell you – the more time that passes without a replacement for a missing tooth, the more the bone in that area is lost, both in height and width. Many studies have proven that the earlier an implant can be placed into bone, the longer that area of bone can stay intact. The longer you wait, the less bone you have to work with, and the more difficult and complicated the procedure. So in other words, the sooner you come in to get your implants, the easier the process will be!