Dental implants are used to replace lost teeth. The implants are made of materials similar to teeth themselves. This offers a relatively drawback free experience for people who wish to have replacements for lost teeth. Modern implants are placed directly in the bone making them sturdier and a lot like the original set of teeth. However, dental implants are expensive and this is one of the major deterrents for people who wish to have some form of dental surgery. Another drawback is the fact that a dental implant is often just a part of the solution. Further additions to the implant are often necessary such as crowns. This further escalates the cost.
Dental implants are relatively problem free. Most people who have had implants have no issues with them for many years. Some patients do report problems but these are mostly caused by an improper insertion procedure. In many cases of failed implants, the angle of the implant is not exactly correct. This puts an inordinate amount of stress on the implant causing it to fail later on. Some patients also suffer from their bodies rejecting the implant although this is quite rare.
Among dental implants alternatives the most common alternative is the use of full size dentures. Full size dentures cover the whole mouth and are essentially a replica of the teeth of an individual. They are mounted on a bracket that fits directly over the gums. This is useful for people who have lost a large number of teeth. Dentures are made of plastic or ceramic materials and are completely removable. This allows them to be regularly cleaned. The removal of dentures also allows the mouth to be cleaned and for any food stuck or jammed in the mouth to be cleaned out.
Partial dentures are also an option for some people. These are used for an area of teeth that are missing, such as a line of 3 or 4 teeth that have all fallen off. This provides a replacement for those teeth but does not affect the functioning of the other teeth in the mouth that may be healthy and strong and capable of performing their task. Some dental bridges can be installed without the help of dental implants. This serves as a good alternative for the same sort of application as one might use with partial dentures. The bridges are made to custom fit the mouth of the individual and are often accompanied by crowns so that the shape of the teeth is imitated.