1. Loose Talk
If your dentures slide around a lot when you talk or if they are more of a nuisance to remove than you like, then you may want to consider dental implants to replace or solidify your dentures. Implants are metal rods, usually made of titanium these days, which are inserted into the jawbone where you used to have a tooth. The rod replaces the root, which has already been removed. You can either set you dentures on top of the implant for a more stable fit, or get individual new teeth attached to the end of the rod.
2. Good Stable Base Required
You need to have good bone density to get implants. The rod will be set inside a drilled hole and it needs to be secure once it is inserted. If you think you will need implants in the future, then make sure that your diet consists of a good source of calcium to maintain healthy bones. Often you will know about your future dental issues, because we typically inherit our parent's teeth. If they wore dentures, chances are you will lose some teeth as you age.
3. Small Discomfort for big Rewards
You will experience some discomfort after you get implants, just like there is every time you visit a dentist. The implants are done under a local anesthesia and swelling and bleeding is minimal. Depending on how many implants you get in one day, you may need to stay out of commission for a couple days to let everything heal up.
4. Not Usually Covered
Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic dentistry so you'll need to prepare for this kind of procedure by saving. Implants can run as high as $1000 for each tooth. Some dentists are open to negotiating their prices when you plan to have a lot of work done. Don't be afraid to bargain and ask for a discount. Unlike covered services such as fillings and root canals, implants carry a higher profit margin, giving the dentist more room for profit.
5. Care and Feeding
While implants, crowns or bridges are attached with permanent cement, that adhesive is still subject to loosening. When you have a cap put on, you will always have to be careful of what you eat and how you use your teeth. No more opening beer bottles with your teeth. Really hard food that requires considerable strength to bite or chew, such as taffy apples and hard candy, should be avoided. Losing a cap or pulling out the implant will not cause you physical pain, but it might be embarrassing and will certainly be expensive to replace.
