5 Reasons Not To Get Dental Implants
Dental implants are a specialty of Yorkshire Dental Suite. If you want to replace your broken, worn and missing teeth and restore your quality of life, book a consultation today.
There’s no denying that dental implants can be life changing. However, the treatment is not suitable for everyone, and there are reasons not to get dental implants that you should be aware of before booking the procedure.
Reason 1: You are not eligible for treatment
You are generally eligible for dental implants if your mouth and gums are in a healthy condition. But, there are a number of factors that can impact your eligibility, including the following:
- You have more saveable teeth than damaged or missing teeth
- You take recreational drugs
- You are currently undergoing radiotherapy
- You are under the age of 21 (exceptions made in special circumstances)
If you have any of the medical conditions mentioned below, this may also affect your eligibility. Rest assured, your dentist will assess your medical history and confirm if you are suitable.
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Certain heart conditions
- Bone disorders like osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta
All patients are required to attend a consultation before their implant procedure. Here, you will have a thorough oral health examination. If issues are identified during this appointment, such as gum disease, these will need to be fixed prior to starting your smile transformation.
Reason 2: You cannot commit to the recovery time
After dental implant surgery your mouth needs 3 - 4 months to recover. During this time, while your jawbone permanently fuses to the implant and heals, you will need to wear temporary teeth.
This is an important stage that requires attentive care to ensure a successful recovery. You will need to change your diet for the first two weeks following the surgery (soft foods only), stop smoking and stick to a great oral hygiene routine. You should also rest as much as possible, especially in the first week post-procedure.
Taking these measures will decrease the chance of dental implant failure or peri-implantitis, a type of infection. If you are not prepared to adapt your routine or wear your temporary teeth for four months (or even longer), then dental implants may not be the right choice.
Reason 3: You smoke or vape
Many dentists will not provide dental implants to smokers. This is because smoking affects your bone density, delays healing and dramatically reduces the success rate of the treatment. Alongside this, there is extensive research and studies showcasing the long-term issues smoking has on your oral health.
You should not smoke at all during the healing period or two weeks leading up to your surgery. Ideally, you should stop this habit altogether to protect your new smile and health. Vaping poses similar risks, and must also be avoided.
Under certain circumstances Yorkshire Dental Suite will offer implants to smokers, as we believe everyone deserves a beautiful, confident smile. Contact us today to discuss your options.
Reason 4: You are unable to look after your dental implants
During the healing period and beyond, it is vital that you are able to take care of your dental implants so you can enjoy the treatment’s lifespan of 20+ years. This means committing to the following steps long-term.
Aftercare | Why is it important? |
Maintain a great oral hygiene routine | Minimises the risk of infection and implant failure. |
Attend regular dental check-ups | Allows your dentist to check there are no problems with your dental implants. |
Stop smoking and vaping | Minimises the risk of infection and implant failure. |
Make slight diet modifications | Helps to prevent your implants from staining and chipping. |
Visit your hygienist | Helps to maintain the health of the gums and any natural teeth. |
Don’t use your teeth as tools | Protects against damage to the bridge and/or crown. |
Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth or play contact sports | Protects against damage to the bridge and/or crown. |
Reason 5: You cannot make the financial investment
There is no denying that dental implants are one of the most expensive dental procedures available, with full mouth restorations costing £29,995 upwards. The trade-off is its incredible longevity, lasting up to 20 years (or longer) if well cared for.
There is also the added expense for patients who have additional issues that need fixing before starting treatment. For example, if you have low bone density, you may require a bone graft to make your dental implant surgery a success.
Yorkshire Dental Suite wants to make this life-changing procedure accessible to as many people as possible. That’s why we provide a range of finance options to help you spread the cost of the treatment over time.
Conclusion:
Deciding whether or not to get dental implants is a big decision. If you are eligible and can make the commitment to the time, aftercare and finances required, the treatment has the ability to make a significant impact on your quality of life. Enquire about dental implants with Yorkshire Dental Suite today.