Dental Implants Sound Great, but Are They Worth the Cost?

If you already have a set of dentures or are on a tight budget, you might wonder if dental implants are really worth the time, effort, and expense. While they aren’t cheap, dental implants are the best available solution to missing teeth, and they can provide you with significant benefits for your oral and overall health as well as your quality of life. Here’s a brief list of a few of the priceless ways in which dental implants can improve your life.

How Can Dental Implants Improve My Life?

Dental implant patients enjoy a wide variety of benefits from the treatment, a few of them being:

• They look great: Dental implants are incredibly lifelike, making them indistinguishable from natural teeth.
• They make it easy to speak: If you wear dentures, they may slide around in your mouth or even fall out when you are trying to speak. Since dental implants are attached to your jawbone, they are as sturdy as real teeth.
• They make eating easier: While dentures look great, they only restore up to half of your original chewing power. Dental implants can handle tough and crunchy foods like steak and popcorn.
• Improve your self-image: People with missing teeth might be shy about smiling. Implants can complete your smile, giving you a grin you can be proud of.
• Dental implants are durable: With excellent care and hygiene, dental implants can last for a lifetime.
• Dental implants are convenient: Dental implants are irremovable and only require the same oral hygiene routine as real teeth.
• Dental implants are incredibly successful: Dental implants boast a success rate of over 95%, making them a solid investment.

What Makes Someone a Good Dental Implant Candidate?

Patients need to meet certain criteria before they can receive dental implants. The most important factor in the success of the treatment is the patient’s oral health. If you have any gum disease, it will need to be cleared up before you can receive implants, and you may require bone grafts to reinforce your jawbones if they have become too thin. Certain health conditions like diabetes can complicate the healing process, so patients with these conditions will need to make special considerations. Smoking is the leading cause of implant failure, so it’s best to kick that habit before treatment.

Dental implants represent a sound investment in your long-term health and your overall well-being. Consulting with your dentist can determine if dental implants are the best course of treatment for you.

About the Author

Dr. DawnMarie DiGrazia earned her dental degree in 2002 at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey after working as a dental assistant at Somerset Dental Arts since 1993. She is proud to be a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the New Jersey Dental Association. Her office in Somerville, NJ offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant services. To learn more about what dental implants may be able to do for you, contact her office online or dial (908) 722-2999.