A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own!
Treatment Time
Usually two appointments of approximately one to three hours for each implant. Expect to spend more time as additional teeth or more extensive treatment is included.
Patient Maintenance
Care in biting hard objects to avoid fracturing the crowns. A good oral hygiene program including daily flossing is required.
Results of Treatment
Dental implants can achieve the ultimate results in esthetics and comfort in replacing missing teeth.
Average Range of Treatment Life Expectancy
The life of the implant is indefinite however the crown placed on the implant typically needs replacement every ten to twenty years.
Cost
Approximately $2,000 to $6,000.
Advantages
- Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth.
- Implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
- Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
- Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
Disadvantages
- A surgical procedure is required although this can often be done under local anesthetic
- Cost! – implants can be expensive.
- Bone grafting may sometimes be necessary.
- Bone grafting may sometimes be necessary.
In rare case, implants may fail to bond with the surrounding jawbone.