Dental implants offer a more permanent solution to missing teeth.
1) What are dental implants?
Dental implants are fixtures which are comprised of a metal anchor screw and one or more false teeth. The fixtures are surgically screwed into the patient’s jaw.
2) Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Anyone with a missing tooth may be a candidate for dental implants, but typically the best results are achieved when a patient is in good general health, practices good oral hygiene, and has enough jawbone available to support the dental implants. The patient must also be willing to commit to routine follow-up and maintenance visits to check the health and status of the restored implants.
3) What are dental implants used for?
Dental implants are especially useful for patients wishing to replace a series of teeth, but anyone with one or more missing teeth is a candidate. Also, dental implants are also being increasingly used to replace existing bridges.
4) How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is performed in several steps. In the first step under local anesthetic, the jawbone is exposed and the implant is put in place and covered with the gum. The implant will remain under the gum for the following 3 to 6 months to allow the bone and metal implant to fuse. In the second procedure, the implant is exposed and a small metal post is attached. After an additional healing period of several weeks, the tooth or teeth are attached to the post.
In patients who do not have enough bone to warrant successful attachment of the dental implants, synthetic bone may be used or bone grafts can be taken from other areas, typically the hip, requiring additional surgery.
5) What is the recovery like?
Following the first and second surgical procedures your dentist will typically prescribe pain medication, and may also prescribe antibiotics. Generally, the actual attachment of the teeth results in little to no discomfort.
6) Results
Dental implants look and function more like natural teeth than dentures or other prostheses and can last a lifetime.
7) Are dental implants approved for use in the USA?
Yes, dental implants are approved for use in the U.S.
8) Are dental implants covered by insurance companies?
Typically, implant costs are not covered by most insurance plans, but a portion may be covered depending upon the cause of tooth loss.
9) Cost
The cost of a basic dental implant procedure ranges form $1,250 to $3,000, but may rise to $15,000 to $30,000 for complete upper and lower dental implants. Cost of grafting surgery is extra.
