Things You Should Know About Dental Implants

Having an incomplete set of teeth can be an inconvenience as it makes it harder to do tasks like eating and talking. This is the reason why tooth replacements are helpful and important. Luckily, this operation has become more convenient with a lot of options available nowadays. One of the more popular methods is affordable dental implants. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are metal screw-like posts implanted in your jawbone through surgery. These serve as a replacement for missing tooth roots, which are also the foundation for the crown that will be attached. The posts are made of titanium, while the crown or artificial teeth can be made of porcelain, resin, metal, or ceramic. 

A dentist recommends this kind of procedure for people who’ve lost their permanent teeth due to decay, injury, aging, or periodontal disease. As such, the crown will be customized according to the shape and color of your natural teeth. It usually lasts around 10 to 15 years until a replacement is needed. The implant screws, on the other hand, can last a lifetime as long as the patient has regular checkups with their dentist every six months. 

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are popular because of their many advantages. To understand more about them, listed below are some of their benefits.

They Prevent Changes to Your Face Shape

Aside from helping a person eat and talk, the teeth support your facial structure. So, a missing tooth or teeth can cause changes to your face shape, commonly known as facial collapse. It’s a health condition that shrinks the lower jawbone, making the face look shorter. 

This is also a result of bone loss, which happens when the jawbone is no longer stimulated by biting and chewing due to the lost teeth. The bone will continue to deteriorate until a replacement is put in place.

They Reduce Impact on Speech

The teeth also have an impact on speech. The sounds formed when talking are affected by the positioning of oral structures. Without a tooth or several teeth, some words may be harder to pronounce than others. It may result in a lisp that, if not treated, affects a person’s confidence to speak with others. 

They Prevent Slipping Accidents

Aside from dental implants, dentures are another tooth replacement option that patients can get. However, because they are removable, they may slip out of position. But with dental implants, the posts are anchored firmly to the jawbone, which reduces the likelihood of slipping.

How Much Do They Cost?

Many factors contribute to the cost of dental implants. These include the number of implants to be made and other required procedures like bone grafting. In the US, the average cost is around $1,500 to $6,000 for a single tooth, while full mouth dental implants can cost up to $80,000. The price can also change based on the materials used for the crown. The most expensive ones, which are made of porcelain, zirconia, or ceramic, commonly range between $800 and $3,000.

Types of Dental Implants

The cost of getting a dental implant varies for each type, depending on what your dentist will recommend. To learn more about it, here are the different kinds of dental implants usually offered.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant. They are applied by directly fusing them to the jawbone. They are shaped like a small screw and made of titanium or ceramic. Ideal candidates for this implant are patients with enough bone in the jaw and healthy gum tissues. 

Subperiosteal Implants 

On the other hand, subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jawbone and under the gum tissue. Their metal frame fits the patient’s jawbone and gums, which fastens over time through osseointegration. The dentist usually recommends this procedure for patients with bone loss or health conditions that make them unfit for implants.  

Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants, meanwhile, are built the same way as regular implants, but they’re smaller. They consist of a screw that is less than 3mm in diameter and has a ball-shaped end. This is recommended for patients who prefer a less invasive option and have enough jawbone. The procedure for placing this implant is usually completed in one visit to the dentist. 

Takeaway

Losing a tooth or several of your teeth can happen to anyone. That is why regular visits to the dentist are important to prevent it from becoming worse and receive treatments like affordable dental implants. Your dentist will recommend the right kind of implant that will suit your condition and preference. After all, dental implants are a worthy investment that will help bring back your confidence and quality of life.