The Facts About Dental Implants

Before advances in dental technology made it possible

, patients who lost their natural teeth due to dental decay, disease or injury were forced to either use dentures, bridges or live with missing teeth. Today, the choices available have expanded to include the use of dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Dental implantation involves surgically installing a titanium screw into your jaw bone with the visible end holding a false tooth. The artificial tooth resembles a real tooth in every way including matching it to the shade of white the surrounding teeth have. Unlike dentures or bridges, they do not require a patient to alter their diet. While bridge work and dentures may not allow a patient to eat things that are sticky or hard without fear of the artificial device coming out or loose, patients with dental implants can enjoy a normal diet with no restrictions.

Other advantages to dental implants include the ease of care they require. While bridges and dentures require removal and care and possible refitting as your mouth changes, dental implants are a permanent part of your mouth and you can maintain them just as you do your natural teeth. With proper care, some patients can make the implant last as long as a natural tooth.

If you are considering this as an option you will need to consult with an oral surgeon who will do x-rays as well as a possible CT scan of your mouth to make sure you have enough bone structure in your jaw to hold an implant as well as to determine where the implant should be placed.

If you smoke you probably won't be considered a good candidate for the process. If you are truly intent on getting dental implants, you will need to stop smoking well ahead of your consultation to be considered a viable candidate.

After your implant, you should expect your total healing time to be about six months and you will need to make sure you floss and brush to help keep your mouth as healthy as possible while you heal as well as afterwards to maintain your healthy gums and teeth.

The total cost will vary by patient, dentist and your geographic area but you should expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for a simple implant. If you are going to have your whole mouth done you may be looking at an investment of $24,000 to $100,000.

There is no guarantee that your implant will be a success of course, but statistics show a 95% success rate for upper teeth and a 90% success rate for lower teeth implants. According to these statistics, the investment you are making in your smile will likely be a winner.

by: Abigail Aaronson

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