What Is The Downside Of Dental Implants? Things To Consider

Dental implants are metal posts placed into the jaw to replace missing teeth and hold crowns, bridges, or dentures. Many patients ask, “what is the downside of dental implants?” This article covers the main risks, recovery issues, long-term concerns, and how robotic placement with the YOMI robot can change outcomes and risks.

What Is The Downside Of Dental Implants? Common medical risks

Infection and healing problems

Surgery always carries an infection risk. Look for redness, increasing pain, pus, fever, or a bad taste. Smoking, poor blood sugar control, or weak immunity raise infection chances and slow healing.

Nerve injury and altered sensation

If an implant is placed near a nerve, you may feel numbness, tingling, or burning in the lip, chin, or tongue. Some nerve injuries are temporary and improve over weeks to months, but severe damage can occasionally be permanent.

Implant failure and poor osseointegration

Implants must fuse with bone (osseointegration). Failure can occur early if bone is poor or due to infection, or later from overload or disease. Early detection and removal often prevent bigger problems.

Surgical and recovery downsides

Pain, swelling, and recovery time

Expect soreness and swelling for a few days to a week. Over-the-counter pain meds or short prescription painkillers help. Avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for several days.

Need for bone grafts or sinus lifts

If jawbone has resorbed, grafts or sinus lifts may be required. These add cost, time, and a separate recovery period before implants can be placed.

Multiple visits and longer treatment timeline

Implants are staged: planning and imaging, surgery, months of healing, and final restoration. The full process can take several months to a year in complex cases.

Long-term downsides and maintenance

Peri-implantitis and long-term bone loss

Peri-implantitis is inflammation around an implant, similar to gum disease. It can lead to bone loss and implant failure if not treated early. Good oral hygiene and regular exams reduce this risk.

Prosthetic wear, repairs, and eventual replacement

Crowns or bridges on implants can chip, loosen, or wear and may need repair or replacement over time, adding future costs.

How robotic-assisted placement (YOMI) affects downsides

Greater precision and potentially lower surgical risk

The YOMI robot helps guide implant placement with high accuracy. This can lower the risk of hitting nerves or sinuses and improve positioning for better long-term success. It also aids in predictable outcomes for complex cases.

Limits: still needs an experienced clinician, cost, and availability

Robotic guidance reduces but does not eliminate complications. The system still requires an experienced surgeon to plan and manage treatment. Costs and local availability may be higher with YOMI-guided care.

Who might be at higher risk or a poor candidate

Medical conditions and habits

Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, immune disorders, and heavy teeth grinding (bruxism) increase implant risk and lower success rates.

Insufficient bone or poor oral hygiene

Little jawbone or ongoing poor oral care make implants less predictable and raise chances of complications like peri-implantitis.

How to reduce the downside of dental implants

Use thorough planning with 3D imaging, review your medical history, and consider YOMI robotic guidance when available. Follow post-op instructions, keep up with cleanings, and report problems early.

Considering implants? What to ask your dentist

Ask about success rates, the dentist’s implant experience, whether they use YOMI robotic placement, alternatives, total cost, and expected timeline.

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Our practice has experience placing implants and offers robotic-assisted placement with the YOMI robot. Schedule a consultation to review your risks, options, and whether implants are the right choice for you.