Dental implants are in a class of their own when it comes to replacing missing teeth! These awesome little implants can fully restore the look, feel, and functionality of your smile—and quite well! However, not all dental implants are created equally, and some are made of cheaper and discounted materials. Are these cheaper options a viable choice for restoring your smile, or should you invest in a high-quality solution? Keep reading to learn more about five of the dangers of opting for cheaper implants and how they can potentially lead to some serious health complications.
1. Implant Breakage
Saving a few bucks might sound appealing most of the time, but cheaper doesn’t always mean better—especially when it comes to dental implants. If your implants are made from cheap materials, they can easily fracture or break due to the pressure applied whenever you bite or chew. When this happens, your bone might not have enough strength and mass to support a new abutment screw; and even if it can, you still have to pay for a new one!
2. Nerve Damage
Research from King’s College Dental Institute shows that nerve damage can also stem from cheap dental implants. Patients who already suffer from nerve injury will experience even more pain due to their implants, in addition to difficulty when eating, talking, or simply moving their jaw. This can also facilitate the need for additional, more expensive treatment down the road.
3. Integration Failure
The most important part of the dental implant process is integration; for your implants to do their job, your jawbone needs to grow around and successfully fuse with them. In many cases, cheaper implants can’t properly integrate with your bone and the risk of implant failure rises, coupled with the risk of infection.
4. Hyperplasia
Also known as inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia, this is an irritation that develops as a reaction to poorly fitting dental implants. Swelling and excess tissue growth around the affected area can occur. Even though this condition is typically painless and benign, surgery is the only way to address it.
5. Damage to Adjacent Teeth
Cheap implants can also jeopardize your other remaining teeth! If an implant is inserted along an improper axis, or is too big for your mouth, the surrounding teeth can become cracked, chipped, or sustain heavy damage. This leads to your other teeth needing to be repaired in addition to the implant needing correction—and ultimately, a higher bill for you!
If you’re curious about receiving dental implants for your missing teeth, you shouldn’t settle for any of the cheaper options. They might save you a little money at first but will ultimately lead to other problems that will hurt both your mouth and your wallet!
About the Practice
Patriot Dental proudly serves patients and families in the Pensacola area under the leadership of Dr. Keith Lisonbee and Dr. Dan Henry! Dr. Lisonbee and Dr. Henry both have several years of experience and expertise in a wide variety of fields, and their practice is pleased to offer many available services including dental implants! If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or give them a call at (850) 477-1120.