Dental implants are permanent solutions to missing teeth that look and feel natural, helping preserve bone and slow the deterioration of existing ones.
Treatment with orthodontic appliances is generally safe and effective; however, there may be potential risks. Your dentist will assess your overall health before creating a customized plan of care for you.
Cost
Cost of dental implants varies based on a variety of factors. Of particular note is their location – front teeth tend to be less expensive than back molars. Furthermore, restoration type also plays an integral part in pricing.
Patients with dental insurance should contact their provider to learn if and how much coverage will be offered for cosmetic procedures, while other plans may offer up to $12,000 per tooth in benefits.
Others factors that can increase costs include the type of abutment used and whether or not bone grafting is required, while implants typically require follow-up appointments, which add to their cost. Many patients have flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts that they can use towards financing the procedure.
Benefits
Dental implants offer an ideal solution to replace missing teeth. Not only are they long-lasting and offer natural looking appearances and improved speech and chewing function, but their superior stability compared to dentures makes maintenance simple with regular oral hygiene maintenance regiments. Implants also protect adjacent teeth and bone health.
Surgery typically involves local anesthesia and is generally less painful than extractions. Patients are encouraged to consume soft foods for the first week post-surgery and practice good oral hygiene practices.
Dental implant candidates who are ideal are healthy nonsmokers with enough jaw bone support for the implant. Heavy smokers or those who suffer from uncontrolled chronic diseases are at greater risk of complications; regular visits must also be made, along with maintaining good oral hygiene; they should avoid clenching/grinding their teeth, as this interferes with healing processes and must refrain from receiving x-rays and MRI scans which could interfere with healing process.
Preparation
Before your surgery, ensure that you take adequate rest. In preparation, purchase soft foods and ice packs; clear your schedule; arrange transportation; and follow all post-operative care instructions given by your physician to avoid complications.
Your dentist will perform a comprehensive dental exam and obtain X-rays and 3D images of your jaw and mouth to assess whether an implant would be a good option for you and develop a treatment plan accordingly.
If your jawbone lacks enough bones, a bone graft may be done to augment what remains. This may take several months before an implant can be installed; occasionally a sinus lift may also be performed to raise thin sinus floors and provide sufficient bone mass.
Surgery
During surgery, an implant is implanted into the jawbone. Once in place, a healing cap will cover it until it can fuse to bone through osseointegration – an effect known as “osseointegration.”
If the jawbone is too soft or thin to support an implant, a bone graft may be necessary. This procedure involves harvesting natural bone from another part of your body or using synthetic materials that mimic bone.
Before installing dental implants, a dentist will conduct X-rays and 3D cone beam CT scans of your mouth to make sure there is sufficient space available for the replacement tooth. IV or oral sedation will help patients relax during surgery; after surgery they should continue brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular check-ups with their dentist.
Aftercare
After dental implant surgery, it’s essential that patients adhere to a soft food diet and avoid hot liquids in order to minimize swelling and the risk of infection in the area. In addition, any painkillers prescribed by their physician should be taken according to their recommended dosage for several days afterward.
Swelling and bruising after surgery is common but should begin subsiding after 72 hours. You can reduce it further by applying an ice pack for 10 minutes every hour on the affected area.
Your dentist will provide detailed instructions for caring for your new implants and will periodically meet with a hygienist to monitor your progress and assess any medications necessary to combat pain, fight infection or promote healing.
