Q: What are the pros and cons of dental implants?

Pros The combination of a dental implant and crown looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth. They stay in place and don’t require removal for cleaning or eating—just the same brushing, flossing, and regular dental care as natural teeth. They retain your natural face shape and smile. Replacement teeth that are secured with dental implants are durable enough to last decades, in contrast with dental bridges and dentures, which usually need to be replaced much sooner. Implants help stimulate jawbone growth and prevent bone loss. They have high patient satisfaction: type: embedded-entry-inline id: Ks6V6ARYAktTMUTOEu3el of RealSelf members who have dental implants say they’re Worth It . Cons Even with dental insurance covering part of the cost, they can be very expensive—especially if you’re replacing multiple teeth. It can take months for the implant to fuse with your jawbone enough that you can complete a dental implant procedure. You can get a temporary crown while you wait, but it won’t be as strong as your permanent replacement tooth. Your gum may look dark where the embedded metal implant shows through thin tissue. RealSelf Tip: Replacing missing teeth after experiencing tooth loss is always a good idea for your oral health. Leaving gaps allows remaining teeth to shift, which can throw off your alignment, impair your bite, and give cheeks or lips a sunken appearance.

Question 1

What are dental implants?

Accepted Answer

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that’s surgically embedded into your jawbone. Most modern implants are screws or cylinders made of titanium, which is biocompatible, lightweight, and super-strong. The implant bonds with the bone, becoming the foundation for a new, custom-made tooth replacement called a dental crown.

The combination of an implant and crown looks, feels, and works like your healthy, natural teeth.

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. As an alternative to removable dentures, All-on-4 dental implants or individual implants can replace an entire top or bottom arch. These prosthetic teeth stay securely fixed in place, without fear of having them come loose while you eat or talk.

There are two types of dental implants:

Endosteal implants (the most common type) are placed in the jawbone.
Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum, either on or above the jawbone, providing an option for patients who lack a healthy jawbone and don’t want to undergo bone augmentation to rebuild it.

RealSelf Tip: Look for a dental specialist, such as an oral surgeon or a periodontist, who has more advanced training to place your dental implant. A general dentist or prosthodontist may place the abutment and crown.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of dental implants?

Accepted Answer

Pros

The combination of a dental implant and crown looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
They stay in place and don’t require removal for cleaning or eating—just the same brushing, flossing, and regular dental care as natural teeth.
They retain your natural face shape and smile.
Replacement teeth that are secured with dental implants are durable enough to last decades, in contrast with dental bridges and dentures, which usually need to be replaced much sooner.
Implants help stimulate jawbone growth and prevent bone loss.
They have high patient satisfaction: type: embedded-entry-inline id: Ks6V6ARYAktTMUTOEu3el of RealSelf members who have dental implants say they’re Worth It.

Cons

Even with dental insurance covering part of the cost, they can be very expensive—especially if you’re replacing multiple teeth.
It can take months for the implant to fuse with your jawbone enough that you can complete a dental implant procedure. You can get a temporary crown while you wait, but it won’t be as strong as your permanent replacement tooth.
Your gum may look dark where the embedded metal implant shows through thin tissue.

RealSelf Tip: Replacing missing teeth after experiencing tooth loss is always a good idea for your oral health. Leaving gaps allows remaining teeth to shift, which can throw off your alignment, impair your bite, and give cheeks or lips a sunken appearance.

Question 3

How much are dental implants?

Accepted Answer

Your price will depend on your dentist’s level of experience, how many implants you need, and a few other key factors.

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

See our complete guide to dental implant costs.

Question 4

Dental implants before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The dental implant photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Accepted Answer

“Dental insurance rarely pays for the surgical implant placement, but it may cover part of the cost of the abutment and crown as well as bone grafting,” says Dr. Davidowitz.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, many insurers recognize the benefits of dental implants over other artificial tooth options.

If your insurance won’t cover it, the AAID recommends asking your insurer if you can receive an allowance toward the implants that’s equal to the cost of a bridge or traditional dentures.

Question 6

Who's a good candidate for dental implants?

Accepted Answer

People typically opt for an implant after having a tooth extracted, due to infection or decay. If you’ve had a failed root canal or apicoectomy, removing the tooth and replacing it with an implant can be more effective than trying to save it.

You’re an ideal candidate for dental implants if:

You are generally healthy, with good oral health.
You have healthy gums and adequate bone structure in the lower jaw to support the implant.

You are not a good candidate if:

You’re a heavy smoker.
You suffer from heart or gum disease.
You’ve undergone radiation therapy in the head and neck area.
You have autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, which can prevent osseointegration (the process by which the implant fuses with the jawbone), and can cause dental implant failure.
You take certain medications for heartburn and depression, since these have also been shown to reduce bone growth, leading to dental implant failure, according to 2016 studies conducted by McGill University and the University at Buffalo.

Your dentist may perform an in-depth computer diagnostic to determine whether you have enough healthy jaw bone to support the implant. If you don‘t, a dental bone graft procedure can fortify it. This surgery comes with three to four months of healing time, so you’ll have to be patient until the bone is ready for dental implant placement.

Discuss any medical conditions and disclose all your current medications to your dentist, to ensure that you’re a good candidate.

Question 7

How soon after a tooth extraction can you get a dental implant?

Accepted Answer

Doctors on RealSelf say an implant should be placed four to six months after an extraction, with or without a bone graft. That gives the bone enough time to heal and strengthen.

Beyond six months, the underlying bone can begin to lose density, and surrounding teeth can shift into the gap left by the extracted tooth.

Getting your implant sooner rather than later can help you avoid costly orthodontic work or additional bone grafting.

Question 8

How should you prepare for a dental implant procedure?

Accepted Answer

How you prepare for your oral surgery can impact how well you heal. Your dentist should provide you with detailed pre-op instructions, which may include some of these preparation steps.

Some providers ask you to start a course of antibiotics before having the implants fitted, to help prevent potential infection post-procedure.
If you’re nervous about pain during your surgery, discuss sedation options before booking your appointment.
If you decide that you’ll be sedated, make sure someone you trust will be available to take you home safely afterward.
Stock up on soft foods and drinks, so you won’t have to worry too much about what to eat during your recovery period.

Question 9

How long does it take to get dental implants?

Accepted Answer

The entire process can take 3 to 9 months, depending on the number and type of implants you get, whether you need a bone graft first, and how your body heals.

Prior to your appointment you’ll get dental x-rays and 3-D scans, so your provider can determine the best implantation plan.

The details of your procedures may vary, but here’s the typical progression.

First, you’ll be given local anesthesia (and possibly a sedative) to keep you comfortable and free from pain.
Then the doctor will place a post or screw, usually made of titanium or zirconia, into your jawbone to serve as the root of your new tooth. This can take 1 to 3 hours, depending on how many implants you’re getting.
Once it’s embedded, the implant looks like a small metal bead sitting on the surface of the gum. Your dentist will cover it with a healing cap.
In most cases, patients then need to wait four to six months for the implant to bond with the bone, a process known as osseointegration. Studies show that osseointegration goes faster with titanium than zirconia.
After the implant has bonded with the jawbone, the doctor places an abutment—a small connector that keeps the dental crown secured—on top of the implant, just above the gum line.
Your dentist will then take impressions of your mouth, which will be used to create an individual crown or implant-supported bridge.
The new tooth or teeth will be custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth.
When the implant has fused with the bone, a dental crown will be fixed to the abutment.

Follow your provider’s recommended treatment plan. You’ll need enough time to heal between each procedure, but not enough for the surrounding teeth to move. Some gum tissue growth over the healing cap or abutment is considered normal, but any excess tissue will have to be removed before the crown can be placed.

RealSelf Tip: In cases when the jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft, patients usually need to start with bone graft surgery. New bone can be sourced from another location in the body, or synthetic bone material can provide the necessary support. Typically, this procedure is performed a few months before implants are placed, giving the bone time to heal.

Question 10

Are dental implants painful?

Accepted Answer

The shot of local anesthetic is usually the only painful part of getting dental implants. After that, you should be comfortably numb.

Question 11

What is dental implant recovery like?

Accepted Answer

“If one does not need bone grafting, getting a dental implant should be no more bothersome than getting a traditional filling. You won’t need time off work to recover,” says Dr. Steven Davidowitz, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.

Patients say recovery is similar to any other kind of dental surgery, with swelling, bruising, and tenderness that can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.

Salt water (saline) rinses can help cleanse the mouth and relieve pain and swelling.

Take it easy on the implant as you heal. “The longer you can go without direct contact on the implant while healing is occurring, the better the chance you have of full integration,” says Dr. Scott Young, a dentist in The Woodlands, Texas.

Your dentist may suggest a soft or liquid diet. If your implant is mostly buried under your gum tissue, you can resume eating normally again in 1 to 2 weeks, once the gums have healed. If you have an abutment or temporary crown above the gums, avoid hard foods (like chips and nuts) and chewing gum for six weeks.

Keep the area clean throughout the healing process by practicing good oral hygiene and dental care, but don’t use a sonic toothbrush, which can disturb the implant. Also avoid mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate healing gum tissue.

Question 12

How long do dental implants last?

Accepted Answer

Your implants should last a lifetime with proper care, according to Dr. Davidowitz.

Avoid habits like chewing ice and hard candy, as well as tobacco and tooth-staining drinks like coffee and red wine.

Implants are very durable, but they may need some upkeep. Screws that come loose can be tightened and chips in the crowns can be polished. Crowns can also be replaced if they break, stain, or you want a new one for whatever reason.

If any pieces of your replacement tooth come out of your mouth, save them and see your dentist as soon as possible. Don’t try to put things back together with a DIY fix.

Question 13

Are dental implants safe?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, “dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry.”

Dental implantation has an average success rate of 95%, and providers have been performing and perfecting this procedure for over 30 years.

According to the FDA, all dental implants must be evaluated according to the international standards, to prove that they have an acceptable level of safety before they can be marketed and sold in the U.S. Implants undergo various tests, including one that proves it won’t cause specific complications (like irritation or allergic reaction) or adverse events.

Question 14

What are the risks and side effects of dental implants?

Accepted Answer

While dental implantation is one of the most successful oral surgical procedures, watch for these rare but possible risks and side effects:

Infection: Very rarely, an infection can develop where the implant was placed. Many surgeons will give you an antibiotic prescription to take after the procedure, just in case. A foul odor from the gum line can be a sign of infection.
Peri-implant disease: It’s also possible to develop inflammation in the gum tissue around the implant, which can deteriorate the bone if it goes untreated. You can help avoid this by keeping your implant and crown clean, not smoking, and staying alert to redness along the gumline.
Implant failure: This side effect can affect people whose healing ability has been compromised by heart disease, periodontal disease, or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. Patients undergoing radiation therapy to the head and neck, heavy smokers, and those taking heartburn and antidepressant medications are also at risk.
Nerve damage: You may feel numbness, tingling, or pain in or around your mouth, which can be temporary or permanent. The risk of permanent nerve damage is very low if you’re treated by a qualified specialist.
Sinus problems: This can happen if dental implants placed in the upper jawline protrude into the sinus cavity.
Breakage: It’s also rare for one of your replacement teeth to break, particularly if the surgeon uses the right size and number of teeth for your mouth, but it’s possible.

RealSelf Tip: Putting off implants when you need them has risks, too. When you lose teeth, the bone that used to surround the tooth roots starts to break down—about a 25% decrease in the first year after you lose the tooth. Getting implants helps stimulate and stabilize the bone that supports your teeth.

Question 15

Are there alternatives to dental implants?

Accepted Answer

If you have all your teeth and none of them need to be pulled, there may be simpler, cheaper options for you than dental implants. Ask your dentist if you might be a good candidate for crowns, bridges, or veneers instead.

Dentures and dental bridges are common alternatives to implants for artificial teeth. Talk with your dentist about these options.

Tooth-supported fixed bridge: This requires grinding down the healthy teeth next to the one needing treatment to attach and support the bridge.
Resin-bonded bridge: Also called a Maryland bridge, the approach is often used for front teeth that don’t need to be as resilient as the back teeth. Small wings on each end of the bridge attach to healthy, adjacent teeth. It looks and functions better than dentures, but it isn’t as sturdy as a fixed bridge, nor does it last as long as implants.
Removable partial dentures: Less expensive but not as natural-looking as an implant-supported crown, these are fitted to the roof of the mouth.
Removable complete dentures: This horseshoe-shaped denture sits on your gums where your teeth used to be. It’s cheaper than implants but can move and chafe, hurt your jawbone, and require replacement every 7 to 15 years.

Question 16

Sources & studies

Accepted Answer

“Antidepressants Linked to Tooth Implant Failure, New Study Finds.” Antidepressants Linked to Tooth Implant Failure, New Study Finds - University at Buffalo, 7 Mar. 2016.

Gaviria, Laura, et al. “Current Trends in Dental Implants.” Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, The Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Apr. 2014.

Hong, Do Gia Khang, and Ji-Hyeon Oh. “Recent Advances in Dental Implants.” Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 5 Nov. 2017.

Roehling, Stefan, et al. “Zirconia Compared to Titanium Dental Implants in Preclinical Studies-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Clinical Oral Implants Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2019.

“What Are Dental Implants?” American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

“Why Some Dental Implants Work and Others Don't.” Newsroom, 25 Oct. 2016.

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