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Information on Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial replacements for missing teeth. They are a permanent and reliable solution that appears natural. Replacing a lost tooth can improve a patient's physical and mental well-being. Although the procedure can be expensive and physically intensive, the success rates of dental implants are high.

  1. Purpose

    • The purpose of a dental implant is to restore the functionality and appearance of a tooth that has been lost. A missing tooth can negatively affect a person's overall dental health, as well as self-esteem. Accidents, gum disease and tooth decay can result in the loss of a tooth. If the tooth is not replaced through cosmetic means, then speaking and chewing can become difficult.

    Types of Implants

    • There are two popular types of dental implants used today. The most common is an endosteal implant, which is implanted in the jaw bone. Screws, cylinders or blades are used to hold the implant in place. A subperiosteal implant is one that is fixed to the gum line with metal posts. Subperiosteal implants are used on patients who do not have the optimum bone structure for an endosteal implant.

    Procedure

    • The dental implant procedure is a very involved process that can take months to complete. Preparing the mouth for an implant will include anchoring the base of a dental implant and allowing it to fuse to the mouth. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, this preliminary implant can take three to six months to fuse and heal. While the patient is waiting for the implant to take, a crown will be placed over the base. Once successfully healed, a prosthetic tooth will be cemented to the metal base that has anchored to the mouth.

    Cost

    • Dental implants can be very expensive, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced and who is performing the procedure. The Consumer Guide to Dentistry estimates that a single dental implant costs $1,000 to $5,000. A full-mouth restoration, however, typically costs $24,000 to $100,000. Some insurance plans may cover part of a dental implant procedure.

    After care

    • Patients will experience soreness or pain immediately following the procedure. This can be easily treated by the physician overseeing the process. Once the dental implant has healed, it should be treated no differently than a regular tooth. It requires regular brushing and flossing. Follow-up visits to a dentist or periodontist will ensure the dental implant has properly anchored to the mouth and remained clean.

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