What You Need to Know About Dental Implants

07/16/2019

A person’s smile is one of the main things that really impact his confidence. Missing teeth will not only make you feel self-conscious but can cause oral health problems. This tends to be the biggest frustration of people when it comes to their smiles.

Not long ago, the only solutions to missing teeth were removable dentures or a fixed bridge. Thankfully, dentistry has improved a lot in the past few years and today we have way more advanced options. One of them is dental implants.

Unlike dentures, a dental implant is a permanent solution to a missing tooth. You might have a severely damaged, problematic or a broken one, that has to be replaced, or you really want to change to shape and overlook of your smile.

Dental implants have become a popular choice, due to their durability and resemblance to a natural tooth. If you want to know more about this dental service, you’ve come to the right place.

What are dental implants?

Approximately 2,3 million of implant-supported crowns are made in The U.S. annually. You may be wondering what makes this many Americans choose this tooth replacement solution.

Dental implants are a permanent version of bridges and dentures, that saves you the inconvenience. In fact, they are small titanium posts that serve as a replacement for the root portion of a missing tooth. They are placed in either the upper or lower jaw.

Titanium has biocompatible properties, which help it fuse with the bone and become a solid foundation for the replacement tooth. With the attached crown, they are made to perfectly match your teeth, so you can have one or multiple of them replaced without being noticeable at all.

Dental implants help for preserving the jaw structure and prevent bone loss as well. This is by far the best long-term option for tooth replacement. In case you still have doubts about that then keep on reading.

Benefits of dental implants
Here are some of the advantages of dental implants, that will help you understand why they are so popular.

Improved oral health
When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth may shift to fill the empty space. When applying an implant you preserve your jawbone as well as the contours of your face. Dental implants also don’t require reducing other teeth, like dental bridges. In the long term, they also provide easier access between teeth, which improves oral hygiene.

Durability
Implants have a very long lifespan. With proper care and oral hygiene, they may last for more than 10 years.
Improved speech and easier eating
No one would like a tooth replacement that makes speaking or eating difficult. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants would function just like a regular tooth. They allow you to bite, chew eat, as well as speak without worrying that your teeth might slip.

Improved self-esteem
Your smile is one of the key factors for your confidence. Dental implants are a fixed solution so they don’t have to be removed. This avoids inconvenience. They look like your natural teeth, but better, so you can have the smile that you’ve always wanted and proudly show it to the world.

Comfort
Since dental implants are secured to your jawbone, they don’t feel unnatural or move in your mouth. You don’t need any adhesives to keep them in place as well. After your gums adapt with your new tooth, you’ll forget that you even have a false one in no time.

Types of dental implants
There are two different types of dental implants and both are made with titanium. The kind that you can get depends on their location in your mouth and the style needed.

Endosteal
These are the most commonly used dental implants. They are placed directly in the jawbone and are shaped like small screws.

Subperiosteal
They are used when your jawbone can’t accommodate the implant. This type is placed under the gum but on or above the bone. However, you may not find the same level of support as with endosteal implants.

Can you get dental implants?
If you have healthy gums and a jawbone that is strong enough to support an implant than you probably are a good candidate. You have to be able to undergo the surgery as well.
Some chronic illnesses can affect the healing process of an implant. In order to determine if you can get dental implants, your dentist will perform a series of tests.

How much do dental implants cost?
The amount of work that needs to be done on every patient is different so the cost of dental implants varies. For a single tooth replacement, the price ranges approximately between $3000 and $4500. The most expensive part is actually the crown attachment. It can cost up to $2000 on its own.

If you need to have more than one teeth replaced, the procedure can be extremely expensive, as the price may go up to $25000.

Dental implant services are usually not covered by health insurance. However, some of them might provide partial financial help, so it’s best to contact your insurance provider and get more information.

Make sure to discuss the cost with your dentist before going through the procedure, as each office has different pricing. Some of them provide great payment plans, so you don’t have to spend that much money at once.

Conclusion
With all that said, now you probably know that dental implants are the best tooth replacement service that you can get. If you have damaged teeth, you’re tired of dentures, or you just for some reason don’t like the appearance of your smile, then this may be your right choice.

Dental implants can give you that great natural smile, so if you believe that they are the solution to your problem, you can contact your dentist and discuss the options.

Dental implants have become a popular choice, due to their durability and resemblance to a natural tooth. If you want to know more about this dental service, you’ve come to the right place.