Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Implants
Advantages
- Dental implants reduce the stress on the remaining teeth by offering independent support and retention for crowns, bridgework and overdentures.
- Dental implants preserve natural teeth by avoiding the need to cut down adjacent teeth for conventional bridgework.
- Dental implants preserve bone that results in loss of jaw height and the appearance of aging.
- Long-term data suggests that implants last longer than conventional bridgework.
- Implants can also be used to secure removable partial and full dentures.
- Implants will allow you to chew better and speak more clearly.
- Implant restorations are very natural appearing and easy to clean and maintain.
Disadvantages
- A surgical procedure is necessary for implant placement.
- There may be insufficient bone for implant placement. This may necessitate bone grafting and additional expense.
- While implant fixtures (roots) have a 95% success rate, a porcelain crown placed on the implant may still fracture with time.
- Initial implant expense may be costly, but in the longterm, is actually more cost-effective.
John F. Carpenter, DMD, MAGD
272 Quassaick Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553
845-561-2330