Dental implants: are they worth the money?

A 24-year-old boy fell off a ladder resulting in a serious dental injury that knocked out a few of his front teeth. He had recently started work in the hospitality industry where it is always expected to ‘serve with a smile’.  He was shattered, shaken, and stirred. The main question: what next? Filled with anxiety and uncertainty he reported to the dental office. After carefully weighing all his options, he eventually decided to replace his missing teeth with dental implants.

’ There are many reasons why dental implant surgery makes a great deal of sense for those wanting an artificial tooth. Here are some major benefits of dental implants compared with alternatives like dentures and bridges.

Aesthetics: The nearest you can come to healthy, natural teeth are dental implants. The implant essentially replaces the root of the missing tooth and feels, looks, and works much like natural teeth. They preserve the jaw bone and hence help you keep the shape and smile of your natural face.

Long-term success: In actuality, dental implants have the highest documented success rates as a tooth replacement option. Clinical trials over the past 40 to 50 years have shown that dental implant treatment has a success rate well above 95 percent.

Confidence: Since the implants are fused to your jaw, they are very stable. So they’re not going to slip when you talk, eat or laugh. You will find your speech more natural too.

Convenience: Just like your natural teeth, you brush and floss them. They are unlike dentures which have to be regularly taken out of the mouth to clean.

Health benefits: Dental implants are the only option to replace the tooth that stimulates jaw bone and prevents bone loss. Additionally, dental implants do not need grinding of adjacent teeth unlike bridges or partial dentures.

Cost-effectiveness: Dentures or bridges can appear far less expensive at first glance than dental implants, given their lower upfront costs. However, they may need to be replaced as often as every 5 to 10 years, requiring a more significant investment of time and money. You might be surprised how cost-effective dental implants are, especially if you take long-term success and value.

So coming back to our question, are dental implants worth the efforts? Dental implants are probably the best option to replace missing teeth because of their durability, appearance, functionality, and cost-effectiveness giving you a long-term option that can last for the rest of your life. “When my dentist told me about the dental implants, you can’t imagine my relief. My new tooth looks so natural; the guests never would know it’s not the original one.” says the 24-year old hospitality professional.