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You may have heard that dental implants can improve your oral health, your smile, and your ability to enjoy the foods you love. You’ve heard correctly. However, getting dental implants is still a big decision and although you want to know how they can change your life, you definitely want to be aware of any dental implants cons too.
Terry got her dental implants 6 months ago and sat down with us to share all the good and all the bad that she experienced while getting her new smile. Listen below or keep reading so you don’t miss the unexpected dental implants cons.
**Actual NUVIA patient(s) who may have been compensated for sharing their story. Not all those who come in for a consultation are eligible for this treatment. Results may vary in individual cases.
Want to get your own, customized treatment plan? Take the first step to snag a spot with the Nuvia team by taking this 60-second quiz to see if you may be eligible for dental implants.
4 Dental Implant Benefits - “it's all been worth it for me, and I know it would be for you.”
Before we get to the dental implant cons Terry shares - here are a few of her favorite things about the dental implant experience at Nuvia:
Less Discomfort Than Expected: Terry was surprised that her discomfort from the surgery was much less than she anticipated. Although it was a major surgery, the discomfort was manageable and not as severe as she had feared, especially when the fake teeth were placed. “It actually feels pretty good when it's all done because those prosthetics are actually, holding your gums up a little bit”.
Eating all her Favorite Foods & Improved Oral Function: Terry was also pleasantly surprised by the healing process and how quickly she felt her oral function improve. After the surgery and initial adjustment period, Terry was able to eat anything she wanted without pain or discomfort.
Talking about the initial stages of healing she said, “Your teeth are literally made overnight, so they're ready and waiting for you when you get there. They put them in.
That immediately makes your gums feel so much more comfortable and the process of healing goes forward.
In a week's time, you're sitting there going, wow. Did I really have that done? And before you know it, you're six months down the road like I am. You're eating anything you want, literally anything you want, and it was worth that one night of not having any teeth in your mouth.”
At 6 months, patients can be eating whatever they’d like with their new teeth; however, these new teeth can be used immediately after getting them on a soft food diet. For patients with missing teeth and painful dental issues, even the soft food diet allows them to eat more than they could before.
Permanent Teeth in 24 Hours: If Terry had gone to a traditional dental implant provider, she may have had to wait up to 10+ months before getting her permanent teeth. With the traditional process, she may have gotten a set of teeth to use after the surgery; however, it would have been a temporary set, likely made from acrylic plastic. This temporary set wouldn’t be the perfect fit that permanent teeth would be and there’s a good chance that it could break or chip before she could get her permanent teeth.
At Nuvia, Terry was able to get her permanent teeth 24 hours after the surgery. These teeth are made from Zirconia, an incredibly strong and durable material. She shares, “And the next day, you go right back in and you're in there and they take their time and they make sure that everything is looking well and your teeth are literally made overnight, so they're ready and waiting for you when you get there.”
No frequent refittings. No waiting for the permanent teeth. No temporary teeth. At Nuvia, Terry’s life was changed in 24 hours with new, zirconia teeth.
Dental Implant Cost: You may be surprised that cost isn’t one of Terry’s dental implants cons. She was able to use the dental implant cost guide to learn more about financing dental implants.
After her consultation she was able to choose from different financing plans so she could pick one that best fit her needs. “It all boils down to what you're worth. I was worth it, and I think you are too. But the fact of the matter is, is that it was a life changing decision for me, and I will never regret having my implants done no matter the cost.”
Price transparency can be a big frustration for those looking to get dental implants. That’s why we’re offering the FREE dental implants cost guide you can download here.
3 Dental Implants Cons
So what were Terry’s dental implants cons? Here are a few downsides she experienced:
Initial Adjustment Period: Terry mentions that getting used to the implants took some time. The new teeth initially felt like a "mouthful of marbles," and she had to adapt to speaking with them, experiencing some whistling at first. For many who get dental implants, it’s the first time in a while that they’ve had teeth so an adjustment period is normal.
The Nuvia Smile Maker club is a Facebook group where patients are able to share their tips for getting used to new teeth. Many patients like Terry find this group to not only be encouraging, but helpful during the adjustment period as well!
Temporary Swelling and Discomfort: Post-surgery, there was some swelling and discomfort, especially on the first night. Although it was much less than anticipated, Terry shared that she did still take some pain medication the first night after surgery.
“Even though I was surprised that the pain was nowhere near what I anticipated it to be, obviously a major surgery will cause you to feel it…You might look like a chipmunk with the wonderful ice pack on your face and do take the pain medication if you need it. And you probably will that first night. I know I did.”
Temporary Gap Between Gums and Fake Teeth: As the gums heal and shrink, some patients experience a gap between the teeth and the gums, which can trap food. This does not happen to everyone but is perfectly normal and honestly, expected. For more on how any gaps are taken care of free of charge, see our dental implant processes page.
Even with these temporary dental implants cons, 6 months after the procedure, Terry shares: “And when it comes down to it, you have to ask yourself, what are you worth? Well, I'm worth every penny I spent so that I can chew my food and have a healthier body. I'm worth it because I can smile without having to feel less because I don't have a nice smile because I do now. I hope I do.”
You are worth the amazing benefits that come with dental implants! Don’t keep pushing the next steps off. Those who are missing teeth or who have been wearing dentures for too long can be more prone to bone loss which, if severe enough, can disqualify patients from even being a candidate for dental implants.
Take the 60-second quiz to see if you may be a candidate for dental implants before it’s too late!
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