What are Dental Implants and Why Choose Them?
A dental implant is essentially a three-part system: the implant post (screw-like device in bone), an abutment (a connector attached to the implant above the gumline), and the prosthetic tooth (crown or bridge) that affixes to the abutment. Implants are made of biocompatible materials (usually titanium or a titanium alloy; ceramic implants also exist for those with metal sensitivities) that allow the bone to integrate and bond with them.
Why choose an implant? There are several advantages of implants over other tooth replacement methods:
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Bone Preservation: When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area begins to resorb (shrink) over time due to lack of stimulation. An implant helps stimulate and preserve bone, much like a natural tooth root, preventing that “sunken” look that can occur after long-term tooth loss.
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Stability and Function: Implants are anchored in bone, so they provide chewing power similar to natural teeth. You can bite and chew with confidence, often being able to eat foods that removable dentures might make difficult (like crisp apples, corn on the cob, steak, etc.). There’s no worry about a denture slipping or a need to avoid certain foods.
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No Impact on Adjacent Teeth: Unlike a dental bridge, which requires grinding down the neighboring teeth for crowns, an implant stands independently. We don’t need to alter healthy adjacent teeth. This is better for your overall oral health because it leaves your other teeth intact.
Longevity: Implants, with good care, can last for decades. The implant post itself often lasts a lifetime. While the crown on top might need replacement after many years of wear (similar to a normal crown lifespan), the foundation remains. They boast high success rates (around 95% or higher for healthy individuals in the upper or lower jaw).
Who is a Good Candidate for Implants?
Sufficient Bone
There must be enough jawbone volume and density to securely place the implant. After a tooth extraction, bone can shrink; if a patient has been missing a tooth for a long time or had advanced periodontal disease, there might be bone loss. In such cases, bone grafting procedures can sometimes be done to rebuild bone for an implant. We assess bone through dental imaging (X-rays, and often 3D CBCT scans for precise measurement)
Healthy Gums
Good periodontal health is important. Gum disease needs to be treated before implant placement, as it can compromise the implant’s success.
Overall Health
Chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, or certain immune-compromising disorders can affect healing and integration of the implant. These don’t always rule out implants, but they might require additional precautions or may affect success rates. We’ll review your medical history thoroughly. Generally, if you’re healthy enough for routine dental procedures and have decent healing capacity, you’re likely a candidate. Age by itself is not a barrier – implants have been successful for patients in their 80s and 90s, as long as health permits.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Treatment Planning
After initial exams and imaging, we plan the implant placement. This may involve creating a surgical guide (a template) to ensure precise positioning. We also determine if any adjunct procedures are needed, like extraction of a failing tooth or bone grafting/sinus lift (for upper back teeth near the sinus) if bone is insufficient.
Implant Placement Surgery
The implant post is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia. If needed, sedation options are available for comfort. A small incision is made in the gum, and a precise channel is drilled for the titanium implant, which is inserted at the correct depth and angle. You’ll feel only pressure or vibration, not pain. The gum is then closed over or around the implant, sometimes with a small healing abutment. The procedure for a single implant typically takes about an hour.
Healing & Osseointegration
After placement, a healing period is crucial. Over the next few months (commonly about 3-4 months for the lower jaw, 4-6 months for the upper jaw), the bone will fuse to the implant surface. This is what gives the implant its strength, essentially locking it in place as if it were a natural root. During this time, you will be advised to be gentle on that area – usually you can wear any partial denture or other temporary tooth replacement adjusted to avoid pressure on the implant site. If it was a front tooth and aesthetics is a concern, we have ways to provide a temporary solution (like a temporary removable tooth or a provisional attached to a neighboring tooth) so you’re not left with a gap.
Abutment and Impression
Once the implant has integrated (we often confirm stability with an exam or sometimes an X-ray), the next step is to uncover it (if it was covered) and attach an abutment. The abutment is a small connector piece that will hold the crown. If a healing abutment was already in place, we simply swap it for the final abutment. With the abutment in place, we take an impression or digital scan of the area, capturing the implant position and neighboring teeth. This information is sent to a dental lab that will fabricate the final crown (or bridge, denture, etc., depending on the case). We will also take care to match the shade of the crown to your natural teeth. If needed, you might get a temporary crown on the abutment for the short period while waiting for the final crown.
Crown Placement
When the custom crown is ready (usually 1-2 weeks later), you’ll return for the final attachment. We place the crown onto the abutment – it may be screwed into the abutment or cemented on, depending on the type of system used. We check the fit, bite, and appearance. The crown is crafted to blend in with your smile, so it should be virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth. Once everything looks perfect, we secure it permanently. If it’s a screw-retained crown, a tiny screw hole on the top of the crown is filled with a tooth-colored filling material after torquing it to specification.
And with that, you have a new tooth! The final result is very rewarding – the implant crown emerges from the gums just like a natural tooth. Patients often remark how they can’t even tell which one is the implant because it feels so normal.
For multi-tooth cases, the process is similar but may involve multiple implants and possibly a longer planning phase. In some cases (like implant-supported dentures), the timeline and steps can vary slightly (and sometimes we can place implants and fit a provisional denture the same day for an “All-on-4” style case). We will give you a clear sequence of steps tailored to your situation.
Aftercare and Long-Term Maintenance of Implants
Oral Hygiene
Keep the implant area clean to prevent infection. Brush twice daily with a soft or electric toothbrush, floss carefully around the implant, and use interdental brushes or a water flosser if needed.
Avoid Excess Force
Don’t bite hard objects or open packages with your teeth. If you grind or clench, wear a nightguard to prevent damage.
Lifestyle
Avoid smoking and keep conditions like diabetes under control to maintain healthy gums and long-lasting implants.
Check-ups
Visit every 6 months for cleanings and X-rays. We use special tools to protect your implants and monitor gum and bone health.
Watch for Problems
Contact us if you notice redness, bleeding, soreness, or looseness. Early care prevents peri-implantitis and bone loss.
The great part about implants is that when you take care of them, they feel very much like normal teeth and you just incorporate their cleaning into your routine. Many patients actually find it easier to floss around an implant crown than a bridge, since implant crowns are usually single units with normal spacing.
We’re always here to help you learn how to best care for your specific implant. We might suggest tailored tools (like a particular floss or mouth rinse) if beneficial. Our goal is to have your implant last potentially a lifetime, giving you lasting value for your investment.
We are here to help.
At Nuvodent, your oral health is our top priority, and we want to work with you to keep your smile healthy and radiant for a lifetime.
Cost of Dental Implants
It’s true that dental implants tend to have a higher upfront cost than other tooth replacement options. However, they also can last much longer and preserve oral health in ways bridges or dentures might not. The cost of an implant will depend on the number of implants, the need for any additional procedures (like bone grafts or sinus lifts), and the type of restoration placed on it (crown, bridge, denture). To break it down
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For a single tooth implant, there are typically separate fees for the surgical implant placement, the abutment, and the crown. We will give you a comprehensive quote that includes all these components so you’re not caught by surprise later.
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If multiple teeth are being replaced with implants, the cost per tooth can sometimes be a bit less than doing each individually (for example, two implants might support a three-tooth bridge).
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Implant-supported full dentures (“All-on-4” concept or similar) have a different cost structure, often packaged for the entire treatment including temporary and final prosthetics.
We understand cost is a significant factor, and we strive to keep our pricing competitive for the quality of care and materials we provide. During the planning phase, we can discuss different options that might affect cost – for instance, choices of abutment material or crown material, or even alternative treatments if implants are outside budget.
Insurance coverage for implants varies. Some insurance plans now offer partial coverage for implants (recognizing them as standard of care), while others still might only contribute what a bridge or denture would cost. We will help you navigate your insurance and can send preauthorization requests to get an idea of their coverage. Additionally, we offer payment plans or financing options because we want to make implants feasible for those who desire them.
Ultimately, while the initial cost can be higher, patients often find implants to be a worthwhile investment given the improvements in function, comfort, and confidence – not to mention avoiding the ongoing costs and inconveniences sometimes associated with dentures or replacing bridges.