Gone are those days when you found it hard to smile because you lost a tooth. Nowadays, there is no need to worry if you are missing a tooth or have a gap between your teeth.

They say that smiles add greatly to a first impression – which are, in most cases, the last as well. Thanks to the dental implants procedure, you can find a perfectly working solution to get back your charming smile.

It is the biocompatible metal that makes up dental implants and they are fused with one’s jawbone to perfection. Thanks to the advancements in the medicine and science, the dental implants fit your teeth to the root just as your tooth would.

Dental Implants procedure

The dental implants procedure has 3 main components. These are titanium implants, the abutment and the crown. The function or the purpose behind using titanium is that it fuses with the jawbone. This is the reason why they don’t slip or make noise when fixed. Furthermore, the reason for using those materials is that they don’t decay like your own teeth.

Benefits of dental implants procedure include no diet restrictions, the preservation of bone and to save the neighboring teeth from decaying. You can easily get rid of everyday problems and unexpected pains. The actual procedure may involve more than one surgeries, depending upon the severity of the case. You may also be asked to visit the dentist for a thorough evaluation of your teeth. [i]

The initial during evaluation include getting your digital X-rays done so that a model of your teeth can be made. The treatment plan may vary greatly from person to person. Also, the doctors will analyze the jawbone condition and how many teeth need to be replaced. Then, you may be asked to visit all three of these doctors:

  • Maxillofacial surgeon who deals with the jaw, mouth and face condition
  • Periodontist who knows all the structures of the teeth
  • Finally a dentist who specializes in making the crowns, bridges or dentures

It is recommended to talk to your doctor before the treatment about any medications you are on. Tell the dentist about any OTC drugs you take or if you have any heart sensitivities. It would help the doctor pursue your case in the right direction and may prescribe antibiotics to prevent any possible infections.

Dental Implants Failure Rate

Generally speaking, the failure rate of dental implants is around 5% – a small number. However, when you realize that the number of people GETTING implants is so high, you might get second thoughts. However, it is important to know that the failure could be because of several reasons. Of course, the first in line is how experienced the dentist is and how much care is being done during the procedure. Besides that, there are 2 types of implant failures:

Early implant failure

This type of failure usually happens within 3 to 4 months after getting surgery. The most common cause of early dental implant failure are the autoimmune diseases. This is basically our body’s own immune system to fight against itself.

Poor blood supply could also be a reason for implant failure. Worrying thing is that the healing process may be slow or may even stop entirely.

How Long Dental Implants Last

This is a question that does not have a definite answer. What we are trying to say is that the life of dental implants depends on many factors including overall health and lifestyle. Thanks to the advancements in the science, failures due to functionality issue or rejection is a not a possibility. Implant misuse and diseases are the most common reasons for implant failure.

The bottom line is that it is up to the patient to take care of their teeth. This involves regular flossing and reasonably brushing the teeth with regular intervals. Even if everything is going as per your expectation, make sure to go for dental check-ups every 2 years. The usual life of a crown is 10 to 12 years, depending upon the quality of material. However, excellent dental hygiene may extend its life to up to 15 years before it would need replacement. [ii]

The location of the tooth is also important in determining the life of the implant. For example, a tooth in the back of the mouth is used more frequently, such as in chewing. So, this increases its chances of failing more quickly than the others.

Dental Implants Cost

There is no general rule or fixed price for dental implants and crowns etc. This is because it depends on your dental health, the stature of the dentist you are visiting and more. However, generally it costs around $1000 to $2000 for a single tooth dental implant. The crown costs between $400 and $2500, of course there is no higher limit for gold crowns. Please note that this is just a rough idea of the implants and crowns and does not involve the dentist fee.

Depending upon the condition of your teeth, the price may be higher if you need more than one implants. Since there are several different types of dental implants, you should consult your dentist to know which one suits you the best.

These days, it has become more of a trend to get full mouth dental implants that cost around $7000 as a start. The added benefit for full mouth dental implants is that they stay in place, fit perfectly and do not even need any adhesives. For people who are missing more than 1 teeth, this could be a good option. Again, the cost would be really high as the procedure would require the removal of several teeth. Depending upon the type of procedure you choose, you may also need to get in touch with an anesthesiologist.

[i] https://www.authoritydental.org/dental-implants-process

[ii] https://www.arizonafamilydental.com/blog/are-dental-implants-permanent/