940-298-8467
Are Dental Implants Worth It?
For anyone weighing the options between implants and other options like bridges, partials, and dentures , the big question usually comes down to cost. After all, implants are not inexpensive, and most insurance companies offer little, if any, coverage for them. Are they worth it? Only you can answer that question for yourself, but there is much evidence to support that they are indeed worth the financial investment.
Restoring Function
One of the biggest reasons to get implants is that they more fully restore daily activity. With implants, patients don’t have to worry about prosthetics falling out, or the embarrassment of having missing teeth. Many patients who have had partials or full dentures have found they did not like them, for a variety of reasons. They don’t feel like regular teeth, they require different care than natural teeth, and the gums change over time, so they’re not a one-time fix to missing teeth.
In addition to eating functions, dental implants also restore better speech function. Where partials and dentures can be loose, and alter how patients talk, implants are permanently attached and therefore speech is not negatively impacted. This is another way in which dental implants can boost overall self-confidence.
Improving Overall Health
With implants, not only is confidence restored, but there are other less obvious benefits like improved nutrition, since foods don’t have to be avoided. Denture patients often struggle to eat enough vegetables, and nuts and seeds can be problematic since they tend to get stuck in difficult-to-reach places. Meat can be difficult for anyone without molars, too. With proper nutrition comes better overall health, not just oral health.
Preventing Bone Loss
Another major benefit to implants is that they stop bone loss. Many people don’t realize that without teeth, the jaw bones stop having a purpose. Without a purpose, they start to erode. This is especially concerning for younger patients, since they may have decades left with no teeth, and their bone loss can be quite severe over time. It is also another reason to not wait too long after tooth loss to explore your options for implants if you are considering them. It is possible to graft additional bone to what is already in place, but this is another expensive procedure, and depending on specific patients’ health history, may or may not be a viable option.
Increasing Longevity Over the Alternatives
Another factor to take into consideration is the long-term expenses of all your options. While crowns, partials, and dentures are less expensive than the implant alternatives, dental implants generally last quite a bit longer than their counterparts. For example, a set of dentures may only last for five or six years before they either need to be relined or replaced. Removable partials have a general life expectancy of about 15 years before they must be replaced. Bridges generally last for up to 10 years, assuming the adjoining teeth that had the crowns also remain healthy. Compare that with dental implants, which generally last for 25 years. There is no question that dental implants are a significant investment in your future. When making your decisions, it is important to look at all options, factor in how long you can expect each option to last, and the costs to replace each when that time comes.
Financing Options
In today’s world, we often look at large expenses in terms of their monthly impact to the household budget. It is no different with large medical procedures like dental implants. Though the total cost is substantial, there are many ways to break these expenses into a manageable monthly payment. While only you can decide if implants are “worth it” to you, we do not want any patient to feel that implants are inaccessible because of the total price tag. If you are considering implants, schedule an appointment for a consultation, so we can look at your specific needs, create a plan that will get you where you want to be, and explore the options available to finance the cost accordingly.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in dental implants, contact the best cosmetic dentist in Denton, TX—Denton Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry! Call our office today at 940-298-8467 or request an appointment online.
What Our Patients Say
Absolutely the *TOP* dentist in the D/FW area! We were referred to Dr. Olson by a friend. His office is a 35 minute drive from our home and absolutely worth it. Our daughter is 4 years old and needs extensive work done on her teeth, that will require IV sedation. We have met with 3 other dentists in the area, and didn’t have a peace about them being the ones to do the work on her. We have been searching for the very best, and thankfully, found Dr. Olson.
Cristina W.
Smiles staff are all very pleasant and professional. I have had many bad experiences with dentist and was afraid to go back. Dr. Tran did 3 fillings on me. I actually fell asleep. She’s soft spoken and very gentle handed. My extraction also went well didn’t fall asleep but didn’t have any pain. Yay They did a follow up call to see if I had any issues. I would recommend any and every one to make Smiles their dentist.
PS: very clean facility too
Alisha C.
Not a fan of the dentist in the slightest but everyone at Denton Smiles is top notch and erased my fear completely. I'm super appreciative and can't recommend enough. Having people poke around in your mouth is a pretty invasive experience, but everyone here does nothing but put your mind at ease. THANK YOU!!!
MavLHP44
Everyone in the office was really kind and you can tell they care about their patients. They took their time, asked questions, and listened to my concerns. There was an issue with my insurance and they gave me great advice as to how to handle it. Also, I received the gentlest but most thorough cleaning. I will definitely be visiting again in 6 months!
