Dental Implants
What are dental implants?
Whether you have full or partial denture or have recently lost a tooth, implants may be an option for you. When patients lose teeth, their ability to chew and speak is reduced, and the bone that once surrounded the tooth begins to shrink. Dental implants are substitutes for natural tooth roots and can be used to anchor artificial teeth or give additional support for dentures and partials. They give these replacement teeth a more stable base and improve the use patients can get out of their dentures, partials or bridgework. Implants are small (usually 4 mm in diameter and 8 to 15 mm in length) and long lasting. They are made of light titanium metal, and some are coated with a bone-like substance (called hydroxyl apatite or HA) that blends with the bone in a process called "Osseo Integration".
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Anyone who has lost a tooth may be a candidate for implants. For single tooth lost, patients consider implants in order to avoid grinding down healthy teeth to place a fixed bridge, or to help maintain the bone structure of the jaw. They are also considered when back teeth are lost as an alternative to a removable partial denture. When patients already have removable dentures or partials, they may consider implants in order to be able to eat or speak with less discomfort. In order to place implants, there must be enough bone density to support the implant and the final restoration. We may need to take certain x-rays of the jawbone to determine this, and models will be taken of your mouth to determine if your other teeth will bite on the implant restoration correctly. Patients with chronic or severe medical or psychological conditions may not be candidates for dental implants.
How safe are dental implants?
Dental implants are considered a safe and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are not a new concept, as ancient Incas and Egyptians experimented with �implanting� carved jade, sapphire and ivory teeth thousands of years ago. Implants have been studied in dentistry for more than 50 years, and over one million implants have been placed in the United States since 1986. The metals and coatings used for dental implants adapt very well to the bone, allow the bone to grow alongside the implant, and are well-tolerated by the body. The incidences of bone rejection, or allergies to the implant are less than one-tenth of one percent.
How are implants placed?
Implant treatment is done in 3 stages. The first state is surgical placement of the actual implant. Implants are placed surgically in an implant surgeon�s office, under local anesthetic. Implant surgery is not difficult, and is usually no more inconvenient than having a tooth extracted. Patients can expect a one-day to one-week recovery period, depending on the type and number of implants placed and the condition of their oral health before surgery. Three to six months later, the healed implant is exposed to allow the gum tissue to heal properly. Lastly, the implant is built-up with a crown. The entire process takes from six to nine months.
How do I take care of my implants?
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is even more critically important for implants than it is for natural teeth. Poor patient home care will lead to infection and possible loss of the implant and restoration. Implant patients need to understand that oral implants are more likely to become infected than hip or knee implants, for example, because the mouth is constantly exposed to plaque and food debris, which break down gums, teeth and bone. Patients must learn to effectively brush and floss three times a day and maintaining regular contact with the implant and restorative dentist is essential. Smoking, chewing tobacco, gum and hard foods, grinding teeth, and keeping dentures in the mouth at night should be avoided to keep implants healthy.
How long will implants last?
Most implants have a 15-year, 90 percent survival rate. The success of dental implants depends on many factors, including the patient�s bone type and amount, the patient�s medical condition, the bite relationship of the remaining teeth, cosmetic concern, personal expectation, the training and experience of the implant dentist, the number and type of implants chosen by the implant dentist, and the quality of the patient�s home care skills once the implants are in place.
How much do implants cost?
Implants are an investment. Fees vary according to the number of implants required and the design recommended by the dentist. Implant therapy involves the cost of the surgery required to insert the implant and the cost of the artificial teeth to be placed onto them. Depending on the type of implant used, one implant could range from $1,400 to $2,000 for the surgical fee and $1000- $1,500 for the restoration. Sometimes other surgical procedures or restorations may also be necessary.
Will my insurance cover implant therapy?
When investigating the availability of insurance coverage for dental implants, keep in mind that implant treatment is twofold. Sometimes a medical plan will allow the surgery portion of an implant procedure, and your dental insurance might cover some of the restoration cost. A patient�s medical plan may provide coverage if it can be established that the inability to chew is affecting general health. Although pressures are being brought to include more implant coverage in dental benefit plans, the current reality is that few have such provisions. Often, implant therapy is considered elective and many insurance carriers will not cover it.
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