Dental implants are titanium screw-like placements, that are placed directly below your gum line, into the jawbone. As opposed to dentures, dental implants are not movable, i.e., it's fixed and allows your dentist to place the set of artificial teeth on top of it. It can be used to replace a single tooth, or the complete set of teeth to bring the mouth structure back to its original form.
Healthy gums and good jawbone support is paramount to getting a dental implant. In case of poor gum health, or a lack of bone support it can lead to several complications like sore spots, and gagging. Correct dental implants can lead to:
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed, replacement teeth. Dental implants are quite popular and an effective long-term solution in comparison to bridges and crowns for people suffering from missing teeth, failing teeth or chronic dental problems. This is because they fit, feel and function just like natural teeth. Dental implants are quickly becoming the new standard in tooth replacement.
Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious while doing basic tasks like eating, talking or smiling, and create oral health problems for you too. A dental implant procedure can give you a replaced tooth that looks, feels and works as naturally as the original. You may need dental implants if there is a non-restorable decay (cavity), severe gum disease, a failed root canal or accidentally damaged teeth beyond repair, the loss of a single tooth or multiple teeth. Implants are a good choice over dentures as they don’t slip off from place, preserve the jawbone and contour of your face and provide support to adjacent teeth by preventing them from shifting.
Endosteal (in the bone): It is the most commonly used type of implant. The various types include screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis.
The implantation procedure is the most invasive step when the oral surgeon places the metal that will serve as the tooth root in the jaw. Although this is invasive, you should not feel any pain during the procedure. Your oral surgeon will make an incision in the gum to expose the bone so that a hole can be drilled for the implant. There are many options to help reduce pain during this process. The surgeon will ensure this process is as comfortable as possible for you. After this step, the jawbone grows out and unites with the dental implant. This process – called osseointegration – which can take several months. It is important for your artificial tooth to have a solid foundation similar to your natural teeth. During the healing process of your jawbone, you will have a gap where your tooth will be missing. During this process a partial temporary denture might be used to fill in the gap. Once you have a strong base for your new artificial tooth, the process can continue.
It is important to care for your oral and general health to protect your dental implant. For example, smoking can contribute to implant failure or complications. Teeth grinding can also cause problems, so seek treatment if necessary. Continue to practice excellent oral hygiene. Keep flossing and brushing daily, to keep your artificial tooth and surrounding gum area clean. You can use a special brush that slides between teeth for special care. Remember to see your dentist for regular checkups. Try to avoid hard items such as ice and hard candy. You may also want to avoid tobacco, coffee and other things that can stain teeth.
The simple answer is: it depends. Like any surgery, there are many factors that will be considered before pricing like the dentist, geographical location and structure of all individual fee etc. And physical circumstances of each patient would be evaluated as well. Jawbone and gums status, whether or not a bone graft and / or extraction or temporary tooth is needed, and anesthesia options are all considered in the cost of an implant. Because of all these variables, an exact quote can’t be stated. However, the whole procedure, including the crown, should cost anywhere between $ 3,000 and $ 5,000 per tooth (this is if any insurance differential are taken away).