What are the pros and cons of dental implants? A full guide in one article

A dental implant refers to a method of replacing missing teeth that uses a lower structure implanted into the bone tissue to support and retain an upper dental restoration. It consists of two parts: the lower supporting implant (dental implant) and the upper dental restoration (dental prosthesis, implant-supported).

It uses artificial materials (such as metal, ceramics, etc.) to make the implant (generally shaped like a tooth root), which is surgically implanted into the tissue (usually the upper and lower jaws) and gains firm retention and support from the bone tissue, connecting to and supporting the upper dental restoration through special devices and methods.

Dental implants can achieve a restorative effect very similar to natural teeth in function, structure and appearance.

People with a full set of teeth often make those who have lost teeth envious. Because of missing teeth, chewing food is very laborious; once the mechanical chewing performance of the teeth weakens, food cannot be chewed well, which can trigger unexplained digestive system diseases and even stomach pain. Friends with missing teeth can now achieve a complete set of teeth through dental implant technology. But everything has pros and cons - what are the good and bad aspects of dental implants?

I. Pros of dental implants:

1. Can hinder alveolar bone resorption.

When teeth are present, alveolar bone resorption does not often occur, but after teeth are lost, alveolar bone resorption proceeds rapidly and the jawbone shrinks significantly. At this point, wearing dentures puts a burden on the alveolar bone; compared with not using dentures, about 20% of alveolar bone resorption proceeds faster, the dentures must be replaced every few years, and their lifespan can hardly exceed 5 years. In contrast, artificial dental implants can make the bone around the alveolar bone firmer, reduce resorption, and serve to maintain the alveolar bone.

2. Does not damage other teeth.

A dental restoration procedure like the bridge method must scrape down the two healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth, and these two teeth must share the burden together with the tooth restored after the loss, thus reducing their lifespan. The same goes for dentures: hooking onto the remaining teeth also damages them. But artificial dental implants are placed independently, so they have no adverse effect on the surrounding teeth.

3. Restores chewing force.

If the maximum chewing capacity of a healthy natural tooth is taken as 100, the chewing force of a partial denture is 15-20, that of a complete denture is 10-15, while artificial dental implants can exert a force of 80-90.

4. Restores the mouthfeel when chewing.

We can taste food when eating because the teeth grow in the alveolar bone. When dentures are used, the dentures rest on top of the gums, the chewing force is greatly reduced, and it is hard to sense taste. Artificial dental implants are implanted in the alveolar bone, so although they are not as good as natural teeth, the mouthfeel when chewing can be felt.

5. Less damage to the gums.

Gingivitis and similar conditions often occur with dentures, but using artificial dental implants reduces this risk.

6. No foreign body sensation.

Dentures themselves contain metal, and this metal can pass through the upper palate or lower gums, causing a foreign body sensation, but artificial dental implants are planted in the alveolar bone, so there is basically no foreign body sensation.

7. Can maintain the connection between teeth, giving a person a complete dentition.

This is because a decayed tooth will damage a certain height of the connection between teeth. If dentures resting on the gums are used, since the gums are not hard enough, the gums sag more and more over time, disrupting the balance of the entire connection.

8. Does not cover tissue.

Dentures, due to their structural design, can cover the gums, but artificial dental implants do not; instead, they can correctly sense the temperature and texture of food.

9. Maintains a natural and beautiful appearance.

When dentures are used, the lips protrude outward and muscle movement is also restricted, making expressions unnatural; if the dentures are removed, the lips sink inward again. But artificial dental implants, like natural teeth, are planted in the alveolar bone and can maintain a natural appearance.

II. Cons of dental implants:

1、Gingivitis: caused by poor oral hygiene and plaque irritation. Therefore, good oral hygiene habits are needed after surgery.

2. Hyperplastic gingivitis: because the gingival tissue covers or fits tightly against the junction between the implant abutment and the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, local hygiene is poor, producing hyperplastic inflammation of the gingival tissue.

3. Fistula formation: fistulas on the mucosa are related to inflammation around the abutment or implant. It occurs mostly in cases where the gingival tissue covers the junction between the abutment and the bridge; surgical treatment can be adopted.

4. Progressive marginal bone resorption: bone resorption around the implant caused by local inflammation, implant overload, or central screw fracture. Remove plaque and treat according to the cause.

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