Dental Implants in Palos Park
Knowing whether dental implants are right for you can be summed up in three questions:
- What are the risks and benefits of dental implants?
- What do dental implants offer that dentures and bridges don’t?
- How long do dental implants last and what is the success rate compared to other alternatives?
At Sheehan Dental Palos Heights, we want to cut through all the overwhelming noise and advice to help you make an informed decision as best as possible.
If you lose a tooth for example, getting dental implants may help but it’s not necessarily the only option.
We’ve heard stories from many of our patients living in Oak Lawn, Hickory Hills, and Orland Park about their experiences.
So if you’re considering dental implants in or near the southwest suburbs of Chicago, here’s everything you should know before making your decision.
Key Takeaways on the Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
- Dental implants provide a permanent, natural-looking solution to replace missing teeth. Patients with cases related to a missing or lost tooth can benefit from an implant dentistry solution like implants.
- Benefits of a dental implant include oral health improvement, a natural look, jawbone preservation, and minimal maintenance.
- Risks associated with dental implants are nerve damage, infection, and possible incompatibility with the jawbone.
- Dental implants can last a lifetime (about 25 years or more) thanks to the titanium material used. Titanium is not only extremely durable but also biocompatible with the human bone.
- While the upfront cost and healing time are higher than alternatives, the long-term benefits make implants a top-tier solution.
- Success of dental implants varies widely with a 5-10% complication or failure rate. Common factors that contribute failure rates include oral hygiene status, quantity and quality of adjacent bone, soft tissue viability, age, and smoking habits.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed into your jawbone where a tooth is missing.
- Dental implants are designed to act as a sturdy foundation for a dental crown, bridge, or even a full denture.
- The process of getting dental implants usually requires dental implant surgery, healing time, and ultimately, the placement of artificial teeth that look and feel like your natural teeth.
Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are the best form of replacement teeth. They also help prevent jawbone deterioration and offer superior chewing function.
But there are still a few things to consider.
We’ve heard a lot of testimonials from residents around Crestwood, Orland Park, Hickory Hills, and Oak Lawn that implants also have risks to take note of.
Like any treatment or dental procedure in cosmetic dentistry, it’s always helpful to look at the good and bad.
Pros of Dental Implants
This isn’t the first time you’ve heard a friend or acquaintance suggest implants, right?
Well, they’re not wrong.
- Implants look natural, have a lifelike appearance, and closely resemble natural teeth (It’s like you didn’t even get one in the first place!)
- Chewing and biting experiences are enhanced, meaning you can enjoy foods you used to without discomfort
- Bone loss is one of the biggest benefits to getting an implant, and studies have been shown to prove it
These are just a few of the many pros to getting a dental implant. Here’s a closer look as to why it’s recommended not just by your local dentist, but several others.
1. Durability That Will Last You 25+ Years
Dental implants are made from medical-grade titanium and designed to last.
Yes, dental implants can replace the root of a missing tooth. But how exactly do they stay in tip-top shape and maintain durability?
Two reasons:
- Implants are fitted into your jawbone, which stimulates bone growth and in effect, last longer
- Decaying is a common problem for bridges, but not for dental implants. This means you don’t have to periodically fit a new implant regularly nor does it risk any of your teeth having to be altered or treated
If you take care of your implants (brush and floss regularly), they can last you 25 years or longer, making them more cost-effective in the long run compared to dentures and bridges that often need replacement every 5–10 years.
2. Preserves Jawbone and Facial Structure Thanks to Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the reason why implants stimulate and preserve your jawbone. The process of osseointegration happens when the titanium post bonds naturally with your bone.
There’s a reason why a titanium dental post is used – primarily because it’s biocompatible.
Once the implant has been fitted into your bone, chewing allows or forces the bone to stay active while remaining structurally intact.
Since the implants are structurally intact and the bone preserved, your jawbone doesn’t shrink, your bite remains aligned, and the lower thirds of your face maintains its shape.
3. Natural Look and Feel (As If Tooth Loss Never Happened)
Dental implants restore both form and function. The crown mimics the appearance of natural teeth so closely that most patients can’t even tell the difference.
This is why implant dentistry is one of the best dental solutions out there. Even after tooth loss, getting an implant ensures your smile remains as natural as possible.
4. Improved Oral Health and Function
Seems odd, right?
Look at it this way: you’re already aware that an implant prevents jawbone loss, which means there’s no domino effect on neighboring teeth.
In effect:
- No damage means preserved enamel, which leads to preserved tooth integrity and alignment
- Decay is unlikely and what’s more, titanium doesn’t get cavities either. One of the key advantages of dental implants is they don’t trap food meaning fewer bacteria near your gums and therefore lowering the risk of gum disease
- Because implants don’t rely on adjacent teeth like dental bridges, they also preserve your natural teeth.
5. Rock-Solid Stability
Unlike removable dentures, implants are fixed and secure. There’s no slipping or discomfort, and they feel like your natural teeth.
Enjoy everything from corn on the cob to a deep-dish pizza without worry.
Cons of Dental Implants (What They Don’t Tell You About Dental Implants)
1. A Dental Implant Surgery Means Higher Upfront Cost
The cost of dental implants can be higher than dentures or bridges. You’re not just paying for the cost of a single tooth replacement, you’re paying for:
- Lab fees
- Oral surgery
- The titanium implant
- Custom abutment and crown
- Imaging (X-rays, CBCT scans)
- Multiple appointments/consultations
However, many agree the benefits outweigh the cost. In addition, consider the maintenance fees and additional hidden costs if you were to get bridges or dentures.
Because both of these alternatives require periodical fitting and heavier maintenance, the costs are similar to that of an implant.
While an implant means paying higher upfront costs in one go, a solution like dentures or bridges will mean incurring more costs long-term.
2. Surgical Procedure is (Usually) Required For Tooth Replacement
Getting dental implants involves surgery, which can be intimidating. Some prefer non-invasive options, and that includes:
- Risk of infection or nerve damage
- Potential sinus complications (if you’re getting an upper implant)
Complications associated with dental implant surgery are rare but may include infection or discomfort.
That said, we’ll talk more about the success rates for implants later below.
3. The Process of Getting Dental Implants Requires Significant Healing Time and Multiple Appointments
The dental implant procedure typically spans several months—from implant placement to full healing and crown attachment.
That means regular dental checkups, along with the dental surgery process to ensure the success of the implant procedure.
Here’s a quick breakdown at the timeline:
| Stage | Timeline |
| Implant placement surgery | 1 visit |
| Healing period (osseointegration) | 3–6 months |
| Abutment + Crown fitting | 2–3 additional visits |
4. Not Everyone Is a Candidate
In order to have dental implants, every patient must go through a thorough evaluation and consultation.
At Sheehan Dental, we don’t take consultations lightly, especially for invasive surgery. We conduct thorough evaluations to determine if dental implants are the best solution for you, and offer solutions to help you qualify. Medical history and any oral-related conditions can impact the success of any procedure to the discomfort level post-surgery.
For instance…
- Those with poor dental health or significant bone loss may require a bone graft.
- Systemic factors like uncontrolled diabetes, steroid therapy, alcoholism, or smoking can affect healing.
5. Insurance Limitations
Dental insurance coverage for implants varies. While many plans do not fully cover implants, they may cover related procedures like bone grafts or crowns.
Most insurance plans don’t cover the full expense of an implant. Diagnostic procedures will most likely be covered, but rarely the surgery in itself.
You can learn more about your dental insurance or plans and maximize your benefits here.
Comparing Dental Implants to Dentures and Bridges
When comparing dental implants to dentures and bridges, implants stand out for their stability, function, and long-term benefits.
Dentures may slip or cause discomfort, and bridges require alteration of healthy teeth. Full-mouth dental implants or single tooth replacements offer a more permanent solution for tooth loss.
Key Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Prevent bone loss
- Look and feel like natural teeth
- Maintains overall dental & oral health
- Eliminate the need to replace dentures
- Chewing and biting is much easier and worry-free
- Preserves the jawbone and facial structure, preventing future oral-related diseases
Drawbacks of Dental Alternatives:
- Bridges can wear down adjacent teeth
- Dentures may become loose and uncomfortable
- Both typically require periodic replacement, leading to higher costs long term
- Risk of decay leading to higher chances of infection, complications, and gum-related disease
Success Rates of Dental Implant Surgery: Assessing the Drawbacks and Benefits of Dental Implants in Cosmetic Dentistry
Several studies have shown success rates to be at 97% over a span of 10 years. This confirms that dental implant surgery is a highly regarded treatment for tooth replacement or for edentulism.
Proper jawbone health evaluation and nerve positions are significant contributors to dental implant surgery success. Along with these factors, patients saw successful results thanks to:
- Healthy gums and adequate jawbone
- Post-op care instructions and regular treatment follow up
- Good general health (no smoking and regular brushing & flossing)
- Surgeon experience and the use of proper implant technique (angle, spacing, depth)
- Using the correct implant size while allowing adequate healing time before loading the implant
Failure Rates in Tooth Replacement Through the Process of Getting Dental Implants
A failure rate of 3.11% has been noticed in patients for the following reasons:
- A type III/IV bone
- Risk of peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis happens when there’s an infection in the surgical site usually due to bacteria entering the area around the implant surface during or shortly after the surgery.
Other reasons why peri-implantitis happens is because of:
- Poor surgical technique
- Poor oral hygiene post-surgery
- Existing infection in nearby tissues or teeth (can be due to several factors like instrument contamination or improper sterilization of equipment)
Peri-implantitis leads to gum inflammation, bone loss, and ultimately the dental impact failure or loosening.
What Does a Type III/IV Bone Mean?
Bone types in cosmetic dentistry are vital information for any surgical procedure because this informs your dentist of how stable and dense your bone is and affects the healing process timeline.
If you have a Type III bone, you’re at moderate risk. For patients with a Type IV bone, this is classified as high risk.
A Type III bone for an implant surgery means:
- May require longer osseointegration (titanium bonding to your tooth) time
- Higher chance of micro-movement during healing, preventing a secure fit
- Softer trabecular bone meaning less initial stability possibly leading to implant loosening
As for a Type IV bone:
- Least dense and least supportive among all four bone types
- High failure rate if not managed carefully, especially after surgery
- Implant can easily fail during healing due to:
- Poor mechanical retention
- Lack of vascularity → delayed healing
- High susceptibility to micromotion and bone loss
Understanding the risk of dental implants helps you make an informed decision. Asking your dentist the right questions and providing a full medical history can save you the trouble/complications and significant expenses.
Is Getting Dental Implants Right for You?
If you walked into our Palos Park dental office and asked, “Am I a good candidate for dental implants?” — here’s what we’d tell you.
Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants:
- Have one or more missing teeth due to decay, injury, or gum disease
- Have good overall and oral health (healthy gums, no active infections)
- Have adequate bone density (Bone Types I, II, and III) in the jaw to support the implant or are willing to undergo a bone graft if needed
- Do not smoke, or are willing to stop smoking during the healing process
- Are committed to proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits
- Want a permanent, natural-feeling solution that improves function and aesthetics
Who May Not Be a Candidate (At Least Right Away):
- People with advanced gum disease that hasn’t been treated
- Individuals with significant jawbone loss who decline bone grafting
- Heavy smokers who aren’t willing to pause the habit during healing
- People seeking a quick fix — implants require time and a multi-step process
- Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune conditions, or have a Type IV bone that impair healing and could risk implant failure
The good news though?
Many of these conditions can be addressed with the right dental plan. At Sheehan Dental, we make sure to thoroughly assess and evaluate your case to prevent complications from happening.
Learn More About Dental Implants
Contact Sheehan Dental to learn more about dental implant procedures, costs, and whether dental implants are worth it for your unique situation.
You can also reach us and schedule an immediate consultation through our contact number: (708) 671-1510.
We proudly serve patients from Palos Heights, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Worth, Crestwood, and Hickory Hills. Let us help you regain your confidence with a lasting solution for tooth replacement.