Dental Implants: An Essential Overview Of The Procedure

21 April 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Share

It seems like only a few years ago that when someone lost a tooth, the main way it was fixed was using a dental bridge. The process would require grinding down teeth located next to your gap so that they could be used as an anchor for the fake tooth. The bridge is never completely secure, as it is a common occurrence for them to fall out. With 95% of dental implant surgeries being successful, it makes it a better alternative. If you are considering getting dental implants, this is the essential information you should be aware of.

The Cost

One downside to dental implants that scare many potential patients away is the cost. A single implant will cost as much as $4,500, plus another $950 for the crown. Very few insurance policies will cover implants, since they are for cosmetic purposes. You will find insurance coverage for dental bridges even though they are an inferior product, because they only cost a small fraction of what an implant costs.

The Construction

A dental implant is constructed with 3 separate parts:

  • The titanium post
  • The extender
  • The crown

It starts be having a titanium post surgically inserted into the jawbone. The jawbone will slowly bond to this titanium post, causing it to be completely secure. A fake tooth is often put on top of the posts during this time to hide noticeable gaps.

Once the titanium post is secure, the extender will be placed on the post. This will allow your dentist to install the crown, creating an end result that is hard for anybody to notice.

The Risks

Always keep in mind that getting dental implants can be a very invasive procedure. There is the possibility that you could suffer from nerve damage, potential damage to your healthy teeth, and get an infection. Implants that are installed along the upper jawbone run the risk of triggering a sinus problem as well.

If the jawbone doesn't bond to the titanium post, the installation process has failed. If you still want an implant, you'll need to have the post completely removed, let the surgical site heal, and then attempt the process one more time. 

Now that you are aware of the entire dental implant procedure, you can decide if it's best for your missing teeth. If it still sounds like something you want to do, contact The Center For Progressive Dentistry or a similar location.