Modern dental implants allow dentists to replace lost teeth with beautifully lifelike restorations that work and feel just like the real thing. High-quality dental implants are not cheap, but receiving these devices at discount prices can set you up for a host of unpleasant oral health problems that can be costly to treat. Here’s a quick look at a few factors to consider when choosing a provider to place your dental implants.
The Risk of Insufficient Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the natural process by which titanium fuses with living bone tissue, and it allows dental implants to establish the strong foundation they need to function well and last for decades. If your appliances are placed by an underqualified provider, they may fail to bond properly with the jawbone, which can cause them to fail early and need costly replacements. Implants placed by qualified professionals, however, enjoy a 95% success rate even after ten years.
The Risk of Peri-Implantitis
Like natural teeth, dental implants can be compromised by infections of the bone and gum tissue supporting them. If these infections become severe, the structures keeping your implant in place will erode, which will make failure much more likely. Receiving your implants from a qualified professional will allow them to monitor your oral health and help you adopt good habits that will keep your devices in great shape.
The Risk of Low-Quality Restorations
Artificial teeth should mimic the appearance, texture, and shape of natural pearly whites, and discount dental implants may include restorations that don’t quite fit with the rest of the smile. Unsightly artificial teeth can make a patient less willing to show off their grin, which can make it difficult to engage at work and during social situations. Implants placed by a qualified dentist, however, will support devices designed to match the patient’s smile so they can grin without worrying about others noticing their tooth replacements.
Don’t let tooth loss make it difficult to smile proudly and chew properly. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand the best way to complete your grin.
About the Author
Dr. Cristina Herrera earned her dental degree at the University of Oklahoma and completed her general practice residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. She completes more than one hundred hours of continuing education coursework annually and is a proud member of the American Dental Association. Her office in Los Gatos offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as implant services. To schedule your consultation for dental implants, contact her office online or dial (408) 378-8773.