Everything You Need To Know About Dental Implants
Dental implants are an extremely durable and realistic way to replace one, two or several missing teeth. They have many benefits over dental bridges and dentures, but they are costly. If you are interested in dental implants to replace your missing teeth, check out these facts.
They Come in Different Styles
Dental implants are great if you are missing one tooth or all your teeth because they come in different styles. For people with one tooth missing, a single titanium implant is a must. It contains one titanium root and one crown. It slides into your gum like a normal tooth. If you have a few missing teeth in a row, however, it's more affordable to get an implant-supported bridge, which uses fewer implants than crowns. These implants support the bridge the way healthy teeth support a normal dental bridge. If all your teeth are missing, an implant-supported denture is best. They also use fewer implants than crowns, but they are removable.
The Cost Is High
Dental implants aren't cheap. A single dental implant costs about $4,000, but that only includes the titanium implant, abutment, and crown. It doesn't include any other procedures, which you will likely need. For a typical three to four-tooth bridge with two implants costs about $8,500. Last, a full set of dentures cost $34,000. Some insurance carriers may pay for some of the cost, such as part of the crown, extraction, etc. It usually does not cover the implant, and you'll still be responsible for a large portion.
You May Need Other Treatments
You may need one or several different treatments before you can get your implant. To start, if you have gum disease, you'll need to undergo treatment to reverse the disease or alleviate the symptoms. If the tooth hasn't been extracted yet, you'll also need to pay for the tooth removal. In severe cases, you may need a bone graft, which uses synthetic bone or bone from another part of your body to add volume to the jaw so it can support the implant.
Titanium Bonds to Bone
The reason dental implants are so amazing is they bond to bone. Titanium is one of few metals that can bond to bone. Therefore, once the implant is placed, the bone begins to attach itself to the metal. Over time, this creates a hold that mimics the way ligaments hold natural teeth. As a result, they can withstand more wear and tear than traditional dental bridges. In some cases, your implant may never even need to be replaced.
Dental implants have been around for a while, but they are only now become more mainstream and popular among many dental patients. If you have missing teeth, you must consider implants. If you are ready to talk to a dentist about oral surgery, contact one in your area today.