While it’s not always a given that dentistry will excite people, dental implants are one of the few that frequently catch the attention of the layperson. Their durability and realism have made them enormously popular in recent years, and people who get them are often impressed at their quality in comparison to other methods of tooth replacement.
They’re so impressed, in fact, that some wonder whether it’s not a good idea to replace their natural teeth with dental implants. It’s an interesting question—here’s what you should know if you’re trying to answer it.
What Advantages Do Dental Implants Have?
While their strengths shouldn’t be overstated, there are arguably some ways in which dental implants are superior to natural teeth. The porcelain that their crowns are usually made of is resistant to both staining and tooth decay.
Along with this remarkable boon, dental implants can approximate natural teeth in quite a few other ways. Their durability is nearly on par—if you care for them well, it’s possible for them to last a lifetime. They offer a stronger bite than dentures and dental bridges, and can be cleaned in about the same way that you would your teeth.
How Dental Implants Fall Short of Teeth
However, there are still plenty of reasons to prefer real teeth over artificial ones. For one, while porcelain is certainly more resistant to decay, it’s also more brittle than enamel. This means that you have a higher chance of breaking the crown of your dental implant than your tooth.
Moreover, the lack of nerves in the dental implants means that as good as they look, they often don’t feel very real.
Finally, while the dental implant procedure is low-risk and easy, it’s still not completely free of potential complications. Even under the best of circumstances, you’ll need to undergo a fair amount of healing and aftercare.
As fantastic as dental implants are, you don’t really gain much by getting rid of perfectly healthy teeth. For that reason, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dentist who would recommend replacing them with artificial ones.
About the Author
Dr. Marjan Salari is an accomplished, respected prosthodontist with nearly twenty years of experience in her field. She believes in using her expertise to give back to her field, whether that’s through mentoring other dentists or just giving her patients the one-on-one attention they need to feel their best. Dr. Salari received her degree from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium and is presently a member of the American College of Prosthodontists.
If you have any questions about dental implants, she can be reached at our website or by phone at (703) 763-0800.