Angela Martinez
Medical Content Writer
Dr. Guzin
Medical Reviewer
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed, replacement teeth. Unlike dentures, bridges, or crowns, dental implants are a popular and effective long-term solution for people who suffer from missing teeth, failing teeth, or chronic dental problems. Dental implants have become the new standard in tooth replacement because they fit, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Patients before & after results
Why get Dental Implants Done
Dental implants offer numerous advantages over other tooth replacement options:
✔ Natural Look and Feel: Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
✔ Improved Speech: Unlike ill-fitting dentures, implants allow you to speak without worry.
✔ Enhanced Comfort: They become part of you, eliminating the discomfort of removable dentures.
✔ Easier Eating: Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods confidently.
✔ Improved Self-Esteem: Dental implants can restore your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
✔ Improved Oral Health: Unlike tooth-supported bridges, dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth. More of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
✔ Durability: Implants are very durable and can last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
✔ Convenience: Removable dentures are just that: removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
Dental Implants vs. Traditional Dentures
While both options replace missing teeth, implants offer several advantages over traditional dentures:
- Stability: Implants are fixed in place and don’t slip or move.
- Bone Preservation: Implants stimulate bone growth, preventing bone loss.
- Comfort: No adhesives or adjustments are needed.
- Durability: Implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Natural Function: Implants restore nearly 100% of natural chewing ability.
Success Rates of Dental Implants
Dental implants have a high success rate, but it can vary depending on where they are placed in the jaw. In general, the success rate is up to 95%. The success rate is even higher for patients who have good oral hygiene and follow aftercare instructions.
Factors Affecting Implant Success:
✔Jawbone quality and quantity
✔Patient’s overall health
✔Smoking habits
✔Experience of the dental professional
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How Does Dental Implant Surgery Work? Step-By-Step
✔ Comprehensive Dental Exam
Before the surgery, you will undergo a comprehensive dental exam, which includes X-rays and 3D images to assess the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. This helps in accurately planning the implant procedure.
✔ Review of Your Medical History
Your dentist will review your medical history to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic ailments may affect your eligibility. Discussing medications and allergies is also crucial.
✔ Removal of Tooth or Teeth (if needed)
If you have a damaged tooth that needs to be replaced, it will be extracted. Depending on the condition of your jawbone, you might need to wait a few months for the bone to heal before proceeding.
✔ Bone Graft (if needed)
A bone graft may be necessary if your jawbone is not thick enough or too soft. The bone graft creates a more solid base for the implant. Materials used can include natural bone from another part of your body or synthetic bone materials. The healing process for a bone graft can take several months, allowing new bone to grow and support the implant.
✔ Insertion of Implant
Once the bone is ready, the dental implant, a titanium post, is placed into the jawbone. This acts as the root for the new tooth. The jawbone needs time to grow around the implant, a process called osseointegration, which can take several months.
✔ Placing the Abutment
After the implant fuses with the jawbone, an abutment is placed on the implant post to hold the new tooth. The abutment is attached after a minor surgical procedure reopens the gum to expose the implant.
When Bone Grafting Is Required?
Bone grafting is required when the jawbone isn’t thick enough or too soft to support a dental implant. Your mouth’s decisive chewing action exerts excellent pressure on the bone, and if it can’t support the implant, the surgery will fail. A bone graft can create a more solid base for the implant.
Several bone graft materials can be used to rebuild a jawbone, including:
- Natural bone graft: Taken from another location in your body.
- Synthetic bone graft: Bone-substitute material that can provide support structures for new bone growth.
It may take several months for the transplanted bone to grow enough new bone to support a dental implant. In some cases, only minor bone grafting is needed, which can be done simultaneously with the implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone determines how you proceed.
Does Dental Implant Surgery Hurt?
Dental implant surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia, so patients typically do not feel pain during the procedure. Post-surgery discomfort can be managed with prescribed pain medications. Familiar sensations include swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding, which usually subside within a few days.
How You Prepare for Dental Implants
Preparation involves a detailed plan crafted between you and your dental specialist. This includes:
Comprehensive dental exam: X-rays and 3D images.
Review of medical history: Disclose any medical conditions and medications.
Treatment plan: This plan is custom-made to fit your situation, considering factors like the number of teeth you need to be replaced and the condition of your jawbone.
What You Can Expect from Dental Surgery
Expect multiple steps over several months, including surgery to place the implant and subsequent fittings for the abutment and crown. Regular follow-ups with your dentist are crucial to monitor progress and address any issues.
How to Take Care of Dental Implants
After surgery, proper care is crucial for the longevity and success of the implants. This includes:
Oral Hygiene: Keep your implants clean like your natural teeth, brushing and flossing regularly.
Regular Check-Ups: Visit your dentist regularly to ensure your implants are in good condition.
Healthy Lifestyle: Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as these can affect healing and implant success.
Different Types of Dental Implants
✔ Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are the most common type, placed directly into the jawbone. They consist of small screws, cylinders, or plates that hold one or more prosthetic teeth.
✔ Subperiosteal Implants
These are placed under the gum but above the jawbone, which is suitable for patients who do not have a healthy jawbone and cannot undergo a bone graft.
✔ Single Implants
Single implants are used to replace individual missing teeth. Each implant supports a single crown.
✔ All-on-4 Implants
This method uses four implants to support an entire arch of teeth, making it ideal for patients with significant tooth loss.
✔ All-on-6 Implants
It is similar to All-on-4 but with six implants for added stability and support, which benefits patients with sufficient bone density.
✔ Zygomatic Implants
These are used when the upper jawbone lacks sufficient bone density—zygomatic implants anchor in the cheekbone, offering an alternative for patients needing extensive bone grafting.
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Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Several factors determine your candidacy for dental implants:
✔ Healthy Gums
Healthy gums are crucial as they need to heal around the implant effectively.
✔ Sufficient Bone Density
Adequate bone density in the jaw is necessary to support the implant securely.
✔ Great Oral Health & Hygiene
Good oral hygiene and overall dental health are vital for the success of dental implants.
✔ No Tobacco or Alcohol Use
Tobacco and excessive alcohol use can impede the healing and integration of the implant with the bone.
✔ Minimal Bruxism
Minimal bruxism (teeth grinding) is preferred, as excessive grinding can damage the implants.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The cost of dental implants varies depending on several factors, including the number of implants, the need for additional procedures like bone grafts, and the clinic’s location. The average cost can range from $1,000 to $3,000 per implant. Full mouth reconstructions using All-on-4 or All-on-6 implants can range from $15,000 to $30,000 or more. Dental insurance may cover part of the cost, and many clinics offer financing options to make the procedure more affordable.
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Dental Implant Alternatives
While dental implants are highly effective, they may not be suitable for everyone. Alternatives include:
- Bridges: Dental bridges replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring them onto adjacent teeth.
- Dentures: Full or partial dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
- Resin-bonded Bridges, also known as Maryland bridges, are often used for front teeth and require less preparation of adjacent teeth.
- Temporary Dentures: Also called flippers, these are a temporary solution while waiting for a more permanent replacement.
Long-Term Care for Dental Implants
While dental implants don’t decay like natural teeth, they still require care to ensure their longevity:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene: Brush twice daily, floss daily, and use an interdental brush.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can weaken the bone structure and can contribute to implant failure.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Professional cleanings and regular check-ups are essential.
- Avoid hard foods: Don’t chew on hard items like ice and hard candy, which can break the crown.
- Address teeth grinding: Ask your dentist about a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth.
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Conclusion
Dental implants offer a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for tooth loss, significantly enhancing quality of life. By understanding the procedures, benefits, and requirements, you can decide whether dental implants are right for you. Dental implants can provide a lifetime of function and comfort with proper care and maintenance.
FAQ:
A: The entire dental implant process typically takes 3-9 months. This includes initial healing after implant placement (3-6 months), abutment placement, and crown fitting. The exact timeline can vary based on individual factors and whether procedures like bone grafting are needed.
A: Dental implant coverage varies by insurance provider. Many dental insurance plans consider implants an elective procedure and don’t cover them. However, some plans may cover part of the cost. It’s best to check with your specific insurance provider for details on coverage.
A: With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. The implant itself (the part fixed to the jawbone) can last several decades. The crown attached to the implant typically lasts about 10-15 years before it may need replacement due to normal wear and tear.
A: Yes, you can get a dental implant even years after tooth extraction. However, the longer you wait, the more likely you are to experience bone loss in the jaw, which might necessitate a bone graft before implant placement.
A: Dental implants are considered safe and effective. They have been used for decades with high success rates. However, like any surgical procedure, there are some risks that your dentist will discuss with you. Proper candidate selection and experienced professionals significantly reduce these risks.
A: While some providers offer “same-day implants” or “teeth in a day,” this usually refers to receiving a temporary crown on the same day as implant placement. The implant still needs time to fuse with the bone (osseointegration) before a permanent crown can be placed.
A: There’s no upper age limit for dental implants. The most important factors are overall health and adequate bone density. Younger patients may need to wait until their jaw has finished growing, typically around age 18.
A: Care for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. This includes:
- Brushing twice daily
- Flossing daily
- Regular dental check-ups and cleanings
- Avoiding tobacco use
- Limiting hard or sticky foods that could damage the crown
Dr. Guzin
MEDICAL REVIEWER
Dr. Guzin KırsaçlıoÄŸlu graduated from Ankara Dental School in 1982 and opened her own practice. Dr.Kirsaçlioglu completed her Master’s in Cosmetic Dentistry at New York University in 2011 as well as annual continuing education courses on dental implants in France, Germany, Spain, and Israel. Today, Dr. Kirsaçlioglu is an internationally recognized, multidisciplinary dental professional running a dental practice with a staff of 18.Â
She is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Turkish Dental Association (TDB), European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (EAED), American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AAD) and the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO).
She has authored numerous dental related articles covering the topics of both dental implants and dental aesthetics. When not treating patients, Dr Kirsaçlioglu volunteers in rural villages, teaching children about good oral health and preventative dental care.
