- Risks of dental implants
Following are the disadvantages or risks of dental implants.
- The major disadvantage of dental implants is that they are expensive. You cannot count dental implants in affordable options. Dental implants can cost you thousands of dollars.
- Aftercare of dental implant surgery is important to reduce the risk of infection. You should take good care of the implant according to the advice of the dental surgeon. The location and severity of the infection are inspected to select the best treatment. If bacterial infection occurs in gum, antibiotics or soft tissue grafting can be used to treat it. If infection occurs in bone, the treatment may require the removal of the dental implant or bone tissue.
- Gum tissues around the dental implant may begin to recede causing inflammation and pain. You should immediately visit the dentist to avoid inflammation ad treat the problem because it may lead to implant removal.
- Dental implant surgery follows a process called osseointegration in which the implant fuses with the jawbone. This is a long-term process that takes months to complete. If the implant does not fuse with the jawbone, the dental surgeon may suggest removing it. The patient may develop anxiety and may not agree to reattempt the implant after healing.
- The dental surgeon may place an implant too close to a nerve unintentionally that may cause damage to it causing continuing tingling, pain, or numbness. A study reported that nerve damage due to dental implant surgery may decline life quality. This problem requires immediate attention and treatment to reduce further effects. The damaged inferior alveolar nerve can be a serious health issue. Symptoms of the damaged inferior alveolar nerve may include numbness in the lower lip and chin, pain, discomfort, tickling, tingling, or burning sensation.
- Surrounding anatomic structures may be injured during dental implant surgery. For example, perforation in maxillary sinus tissues may cause sinus problems and later on infection in the affected tissue.
- The stability of the implant can be declined due to excessive bone deterioration in the implant area. Black triangles may appear between teeth that do not look aesthetically pleasing. This also makes the cleaning difficult.
- Fracture in the abutment screw may become a serious complication that cannot be fixed easily. This may need the screw removal and replacement of the dental implant. A new dental implant is not easy because the remaining bones may not support the new implant.
- Dental insurance may not cover the cost of dental implants. Most of the time, dental insurance does not cover the implant cost but it can cover the restoration cost of dental implants. The restoration cost may be associated with dental crown, bridge, or dentures. Always ask the insurance agent about what is covered and what is not covered before buying a policy.
- You cannot get instant results from dental implants. Dental implants require a long time even months to heal.
- Insurance questions related to dental implants
Some important insurance questions related to dental implants are;
