A lot of people and dentists are talking about dental implants today and with good reason. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. It may seem a bit extreme and expensive to some but dental implants are becoming a more common way to restore teeth. There are also more ways to pay for them too.
How Dental Implants are Different
Dental implants are vastly different from dentures or even the artificial teeth used to replace teeth in the past. The biggest difference is they are permanent. The second way they are different is they are affixed to the jaw bone.
Dentures are either removable and taken out at night to be cleaned or non-removable, also called fixed dentures, which means the dentures are affixed to the mouth with implant posts. However, each tooth isn’t attached and the dentures still, for the most part, rest on the gumline.
Implants are attached to the jawbone permanently so they don’t move or come out. Posts are inserted into the jawbone to connect to the artificial implant. The jawbone develops around the implanted post and the post becomes a part of the jawbone as a natural tooth root would.
The artificial tooth is typically made of one of a few types of materials including a composite material of resin and ceramic. It can also be made of a porcelain mix. Both look like your natural teeth in shade and shape.
Implants have several benefits over other options. We have listed five distinct benefits of implants for those considering them.
- Implants feel natural like real teeth.
The implant may be artificial but it feels like a tooth is supposed to feel in your mouth. You may need to get used to it being there but it makes you feel like you have natural teeth.
- Implants are permanent.
Removable dentures can be a hassle. You have to take them out at night, clean them, and be sure to put them in whenever you may be seeing someone. Implants are always there, like your natural teeth.
- Implants function like natural teeth.
The purpose of teeth is to grind and chew food and implants do that well. They do it as well as your own teeth and are better than dentures because they never slip. This allows you to enjoy all your favorite foods anytime.
- Implants look natural.
One of the reasons people don’t like some dentures is they don’t feel they look natural enough. Implants mix in with your real teeth and no one will ever know they are artificial.
- Impants fill gaps left by missing teeth.
It’s important to fill gaps after a tooth is extracted. Leaving the gaps not only contributes to loss of mouth function and affects speech, but it could also lead to your other teeth moving, becoming loose, or going crooked.
Implants filling that space keep the rest of your teeth intact.
Implant Options
People often think of implants as being done for single teeth. They can be done for a single missing tooth but dental implants can also replace almost every tooth in the mouth. This means that those with several teeth with tooth decay have another option besides dentures.
The procedure is called All-on-4. It means an implant surgeon places a whole set of between 10 to 14 teeth using only four titanium posts. This can be done for both the upper and lower rows of teeth.
The procedure is done in one appointment.
Paying for Implants
Many people are concerned about the cost of getting implants. That’s understandable because the cost of getting a dental implant is between $3,900 and $5,800 for one implant and that isn’t the only cost. That is just the surgery and post. The actual artificial tooth that goes on the post will cost anyway from $1000 to $6,000.
The good news about implants is that many dental insurance policies are now covering the cost of getting an implant. That wasn’t true a few years ago. The procedure has become more requested and common so insurance is more likely to cover it than ever before. However, you will need to check with your specific dental insurance policy to see if there are co-payments and how much they will be.
Get a Natural Smile
Dental implants are a restorative procedure that gives people a natural smile and great function after they lose a tooth or teeth. It can give them confidence as well. Those who are considering their restoration options should talk to us about how implants are done, the cost, and various ways to pay for them.
The place to start is with an exam by one of our experienced dentists. Call or book an appointment today and let us help you on your journey to the smile you want!