Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?

If you’ve lost a tooth for any reason your dentist is likely to recommend that you get dental implants. Unfortunately, this is one of the most expensive dental procedures, if you aren’t covered by insurance then you may question whether it is worth the cost, or not.

The good news is that this procedure is not a new thing, there is evidence that suggests the ancient Egyptians had gold fillings wired into their teeth!

Today, it’s a little more sophisticated. A titanium screw will be inserted into your jaw bone. This provides a solid base for a crown, bridge, or even a complete tooth. All count as dental implants and will last for years. It is worth noting that tooth loss is more common in people over 50, advances in dental care mean younger people are less likely to lose teeth just from aging.

However, if you need a dental implant it is advisable to have a reputable dentist do this procedure, such as this dentist Neutral Bay.

The general consensus is that, despite the cost, a dental implant is worthwhile. Here’s why:

Long-Lasting

An implant should last for the rest of your lifetime. The success rate is 95% with the most likely ones to fail being implants in the upper jaw. Of course, it is important to use an experienced and professional dentist to ensure a successful procedure.

Comfort

The alternatives to implants are bridges or dentures. These options are significantly cheaper than implants. However, they are not as long-lasting and they won’t be as comfortable. For sheer life quality, you need to invest in the implants. 

Confidence Restoring

Missing teeth generally make people reluctant to smile as others will notice the issue. This makes people more self-conscious in a variety of situations. The result is that many people become more reclusive and lose their confidence.

This can have a serious knock-on effect on every other aspect of your life. Self-confidence is essential to undertaking a wide array of daily challenges and trying new things. If your confidence is eroded you’ll find you miss opportunities and can even become depressed.

That suddenly makes the cost of an implant more bearable.

Tooth Weakness

Dentists prefer not to remove teeth unless they have to. However, if your tooth is missing the teeth beside it will lose a little of their support, allowing them to move. This weakens them and can subsequently weaken all the teeth in your mouth as they move around.

The long term effects can be more teeth issues, including more tooth loss.

A dental implant prevents this from being an issue and it will stay in place because it’s fused to your jawbone, unlike a denture.

Care

Don’t forget that having an implant doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of it. You’ll need to brush and floss daily in the same way as you do now. This is essential for the implant, your other teeth, gums, and your overall oral health.