What Do I Need to Know About Dental Implants

March 06, 2020, iSmile Specialist

This article has some general information on dental implants.

What are Dental Implants?
Wikipedia's definition of dental implants "A dental implant is a surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis or to act as an orthodontic anchor". Let's break that down into simple terms. A dental implant is made of titanium and is one of the few metals that will successfully fuse with our bone and tissue. The surgical component is the titanium piece that is surgically installed into your gum tissue. After being installed the implant works as the root of your tooth and will hold a crown, bridge, or denture depending on the extent of your tooth loss.

Dental Implants are becoming a popular choice for teeth replacement. In the past, traditional dentures were the only option for replacing missing teeth. As technology and medical advancements increased we were introduced to the Dental Implants. This new breakthrough in dentistry has allowed for people to have their teeth replaced while offering a wide variety of benefits for the patient. In this article, we will explore the benefits of dental implants and give you a better understanding of the process of getting implants.

Are dental Implants Expensive?
The average price for a single implant can range from $2,500 to $3,000. Dental Implant cost is generally high but the price varies depending on if you need a dental bone graft for dental implants and also depending on the number of teeth extractions.  When the teeth are missing and the root is gone you start to lose the bone that helps maintain your facial profile. The bone graft is usually needed when the patient has suffered significant bone loss due to the teeth missing. Some Cosmetic Dentistries also charge extra for the abutment crown. It is important to get a consultation with your dental specialist in order to get the best idea of the cost. Most patients are offered convenient financing options to help them with the cost of the implants. 

What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4® is a dental implant treatment that has been developed over the years to become a viable solution to restoring multiple teeth at once. This type of procedure minimizes the number of surgical procedures and Implants that a patient needs to completely restore their smile. In turn, this lowers dental expenses and also time spent at the dentist's office. 

Should I get my implants out of the country to cut costs?
Many people choose to leave the country in search of a better deal on dental implants. It is strongly recommended that you DO NOT sacrifice the quality of care needed for this procedure to save money. This procedure requires a great amount of care and the right technology, equipment and most importantly the best dentist! 3D X-Rays allow a doctor to see if you need a sinus lift or if any other complications are present that can seriously harm the patient. Some out of country doctors do not have these types of imaging capabilities and if the patient is not properly examined they can cause irreversible damage. It is important that you know what kind of equipment the doctor you are going to uses and that you also do research on the doctor to determine their success rate.

Implant placement is a very sensitive cosmetic procedure that requires a lot of cosmetic training for optimum placement. When placed incorrectly, the metal might show through the gum tissue causing a non-cosmetic appearance. Although some general dentists do place implants, always look for a dental specialist like a prosthodontist or a periodontist. They have at least an extra 3-years of advanced training for implant placement and restoration and usually, they offer the implants at the same price compared to general dentists.

What are the benefits of Dental Implants?

• Maintain Original Bone
• Improved Speech
• Comfort and feeling of your natural teeth
• No movement allowing for easier chewing of food
• A permanent solution to replacing your natural teeth

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