PROCEDURES AND EFFECTIVENESS
Dental implants are surgical-grade root devices that support permanent tooth prosthetics that are manufactured to last a lifetime. These artificial roots are anchored in the bone beneath the gums where they become fused into the jaw. A crown is mounted atop the implant for a long-lasting and natural looking smile. Many dentists and patients prefer dental implants because they offer the same function as natural teeth and also help prevent bone atrophy in the jaw. Dental implants may be used to replace a single missing or damaged tooth or to restore an entire smile.
DID YOU KNOW
That approximately 30 million people live with no natural teeth in one or both jaws? But more and more dental patients are opting for dental implants as a means of tooth replacement. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that 3 million people currently have dental implants – a number that is rapidly growing by about 500,000 per year. Modern titanium implants were first developed in the 1950’s, but archeologists have determined that ancient Egyptians and Mayans were the first cultures to implant artificial teeth.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a titanium screw. Titanium is the same kind of metal we use for artificial joint implants like hips and knees and shoulders. It's a biocompatible metal that your bone actually grows around. So when you put a dental implant in, you put a screw into the jawbone and that jawbone grows around that dental implant over the course of time. It becomes part of your jawbone and is strong enough to support teeth.
Under what conditions would you recommend patients consider implants?
There are a lot of applications now for dental implants. Dental implants are, to put it simply, a tooth replacement modality. So you can use them to replace a single tooth, or you can use several of them to replace a full mouth of teeth if that's what's necessary. You use dental implants when a patient is going to be missing or needs to remove a tooth. Whether it's an immediate placement or one that's been missing for a while, you use a dental implant to help replace missing teeth.
The process of dental implant procedure from beginning to end
First off, there's a couple of factors that go into this. Some people come in and they already have a tooth missing and they want it replaced. That's simpler. Some people come in with, say, an infected tooth or a tooth that's broken and it's not fixable and need that tooth replaced right away. They don't want to go, or they don't want to take it out and then wait. If you have good enough bone and there's not too much infection in the area, a very popular way to do it is to take the tooth out of the jaw and at the same appointment, while you're already numb and while we're already in there doing the work, prep that site where there were roots that came out of that bone. We just prep it a little bit and reshape it a little bit to where we put that implant screw in at that same appointment. The implant is the foundation that's inside the bone, and then there's a second and third part where you have an abutment that screws into that, that comes up through the gums, and then a tooth or a crown cements over top of the abutment.
Procedure for dental implants
The procedure for dental implants begins with the placement of a screw into the bone. An abutment is then placed on top of the screw. We scan the area and cement a crown to go on top of that. This entire process can be done in our office in about three and a half months, provided everything goes as planned. With our CAD CAM, we can create immediate crowns in a single day once the implant has adequately healed and is solid.
Advantages of dental implants
Dental implants are an excellent solution for tooth replacement. They offer the ability to replace a lost tooth with a new one that is almost as good as the original. Unlike traditional methods like bridges, dental implants do not require the use of adjacent teeth. They are easy to keep clean and do not have any cavity issues as they are made from ceramic and titanium parts. However, they are still susceptible to gum disease, so regular cleaning is necessary. They provide a very long-term and permanent solution for tooth loss.
When is bone grafting necessary?
Bone grafting is often beneficial in most situations, especially when a tooth is extracted. It is most cost-effective and simplest to perform the bone grafting at the time the tooth is removed. Sometimes, the implant can be placed immediately after tooth extraction. However, in other situations where the bone defect is too large, the tooth is extracted, a bone graft is placed, and the area is allowed to heal for about three months before the implant can be placed. Regardless of whether an implant is planned or not, bone grafting is a good option to maintain the maximum amount of bone and leave the option for a future implant open.
What happens if there's substantial bone loss when a tooth is removed? Does it affect the success of future implants?
If a tooth is removed and there's been significant bone loss, the bone might not heal with sufficient bone remaining to allow for an implant down the line. Furthermore, if the bone loss is severe, it might not be possible to place a large, strong implant or an implant at the right angle. This could potentially reduce the long-term success of the implants. Consequently, any procedure that helps a patient retain more bone will potentially enhance the effectiveness of the implant.
Restorations with dental implants
The type of restoration possible on top of dental implants can vary greatly. The simplest would be a single tooth replacement, where an implant, an abutment, and a crown are used. However, some people may be missing multiple teeth, or even a full arch, either on the top, bottom, or both. In these cases, the procedures can become more complex, but not necessarily overly so. One can opt for implant bridges where two implants can support four teeth, for instance. If an entire arch of teeth is missing, four to five implants can support all the missing teeth, making individual implants for each missing tooth unnecessary. Another option is implant removable dentures, where two to four implants are fitted with clips that can attach to a denture. This option is removable, making it easier to clean, though it may not be as secure as a permanently cemented bridge.
Removable dental options and how do they compare to fixed options
Removable dental options are those that don't stay in permanently, such as a denture or a partial denture. These can be done with implants and are typically less expensive. They involve a denture that is removed and clips in on top of implants. On the other hand, there are fixed options which are either screwed into the implants or cemented on top of parts that come up out of the gums on those implants. Although both options are effective, fixed options are usually more expensive as they are permanent, stay in your mouth 24/7, and require cleaning around them.
How long does it take to recover from dental implants?
Recovery from dental implants can be defined in a couple of ways. If recovery is considered as feeling normal, then after a tooth is removed and an implant is put in, you might feel quite normal within about three to five days. However, if recovery is defined as the time before the implant is strong enough to put a tooth or a removable restoration on top of it, then it will typically be a minimum of three and a half to four months before you can replace a tooth and feel normal in that respect.
How long do dental implants last?
The lifespan of dental implants varies greatly. Your oral health and how clean you keep your mouth play significant roles. The average crown and bridge setup probably lasts between 10 and 20 years. However, implants have a better long-term success rate, often lasting 30 to 40 years or more if they are well taken care of. In fact, dental implants can easily be a lifetime restoration for patients who maintain good oral hygiene. There are cases where implants have lasted only three to four years in individuals who neglect their oral health, but also cases where even sub-par implants have lasted up to 50 years in patients who take good care of their mouth.
Dental implants and cavities
Dental implants cannot get cavities. This eliminates half of the problems that people have with restorations or teeth in their mouth. However, dental implants can still be affected by gum disease, which can cause an implant to fail. Therefore, it's still important to take care of dental implants just as you would regular teeth.
Cost and financing options for dental implants
Dental implants are among the most expensive procedures in the dental world, if not the most expensive. Specific costs and financing options can vary.
At Integrity Dental, we understand that cost concerns can deter people from considering dental implants. However, we believe that implants are an excellent way to improve oral and overall health, which is why we offer several financing options. Options include Care Credit and lesser-known ones such as Alfion. Nowadays, many insurance policies also provide some coverage for the implant process. However, due to the high cost of implants, these procedures often exceed the typical yearly maximum that your insurance provides. As a result, there's usually an out-of-pocket expense associated with getting an implant, whether it's for a full mouth or a single tooth.
Cost range for dental implants
The cost of implants varies widely depending on several factors. These factors include the complexity of the implant, the number of teeth being restored, whether a tooth needs to be removed, and whether bone grafting is required. To give you an idea, the bare minimum for a simple implant – assuming the tooth is already missing and you have good bone quality that doesn't need bone grafting – is probably about $3,500 from beginning to end if you are paying out-of-pocket without insurance. From there, costs can increase significantly. For example, if you need a tooth removed, the cost could range from $3,500 to around $4,000 for a single tooth, depending on the complexity of the tooth removal and whether bone grafting is required.
Are there additional costs for dental implants?
Yes, it's important to understand that the cost of dental implants doesn't always include the tooth that goes on top of the implant. Sometimes, you might have the implant placed by a specialist and then return to your general dentist to have the tooth placed on top of that implant. Therefore, when discussing costs, be sure to clarify whether the quoted price includes the abutment and the crown that go on top of the implant.
Integrity Dental offers full-service dental treatments. This includes handling the case from the beginning, and includes procedures such as tooth extraction, grafting, implant placement, as well as the abutment and the crown. The entire process is done in-house, eliminating the need for going to multiple dental professionals.
Cost of Full-mouth set of dental implants
A full mouth set of dental implants can get pretty expensive, especially if you're missing up to 14 teeth on just the top. This requires at least four implants, and the cost for a full upper or lower set can range from about $20,000 to $22,000. The cost varies depending on how many teeth need to be removed and if grafting is required.
Cost of a removable denture
Costs for a few implants with a removable denture range around $10,000 to $15,000. The final cost will depend on the specific requirements of each patient.
Do insurances cover the cost of dental implants?
Most insurances do cover the cost of dental implants, but the coverage might not be complete. The typical cost for a dental implant in an optimal situation is a minimum of $3,500 to $4,000 for a single tooth. This usually uses up more than a patient's full insurance benefit for the year, resulting in out-of-pocket costs.
How does Integrity Dental assist with consultation and costs?
Integrity Dental offers a free consultation to give you a better idea of the cost for your specific situation. They try to make the out-of-pocket costs as easy as possible for their patients. You can call and request a free consultation for implants at your convenience.
Importance of getting dental implants
Dental implants hold a special place because they provide significant benefits to patients. They enable the performance of great restoration work and improve the quality of life. Dental implants allow patients to have a full set of teeth, distribute the load evenly, prevent damage to other teeth, and enable efficient chewing. They also reduce the need to shift food around in different ways and eliminate worries about what can and cannot be eaten.
Schedule a consultation at Integrity Dental
Integrity Dental encourages you to call their number, 719-545-2468, to schedule a free consultation. This will enable them to give you a good idea of what it would cost to get a dental implant restoration.
Is it worth the price to get that kind of restoration?
Yes, it's well worth the price to get that kind of restoration.