Having missing teeth can make ordinary activities such as eating and talking difficult. People often feel self-conscious if the gap is quite visible. This is why most people get dentures, partials or bridges to replace the missing teeth. These are all decent tooth replacement options but there are times when dentures, partials and bridges can be an inconvenience. For example, they can stick to certain types of food and they may even fall off in the middle of a meal. They can also be quite tedious to clean. If you have the budget for it, a better alternative to dentures are dental implants.
What is Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces a person’s missing teeth with dentures or permanent crowns. Only dentists who have had the proper training are qualified to perform this type of surgery. Dental implant surgery is often classified as a type of cosmetic dentistry.
What are the Types of Dental Implants?
There are several types of dental implants: root form implants, plate form implants, and subperiosteal implants. They vary in terms of the material and the procedure used to affix the implant. Of the three dental implant types, root form implants are the most common procedure. In this procedure, the dental surgeon implants a titanium screw into the jawbone, onto which the permanent replacement tooth is attached. In cases where the jawbone is not strong enough to hold a titanium screw, a plate is placed over the bone and this is where the false tooth is implanted.
How Do You Know If a Dentist is Qualified to Perform Dental Implant Surgery?
Not all dentists are certified to perform dental implant surgery, only those who have received proper training from a reputable institution. You can easily find out if a dentist is qualified by asking about his or her implant experience and background. Even if the dentist has all the credentials to show, make sure you look at before and after photos of his or her dental work so you can see for yourself just how good the dentist is at his or her job.
How Much Does a Dental Implant Cost?
It’s hard to tell exactly how much a dental implant costs because it depends on several factors. Generally, the procedure is an expensive one. Most dental surgeons charge between $1,500 and $3,000 for every tooth. Some people have been known to pay as much as $50,000 for a set of permanent dental implants.
Are There Special Procedures That Must Be Done to Care for Dental Implants?
The actual dental implant procedure doesn’t take very long. It can usually be done in an hour or two, but there are many subsequent procedures that must be done to ensure the false teeth have been properly installed. All in all, it can take up to 8 months until the procedure is really done. During this period, you should take care of your teeth by following the instructions given by your dentist. Proper dental hygiene is important once you have dental implants because the slightest neglect can lead to infection and other serious dental problems.
What are mini implants?
Mini implants are placed the same way as regular implants and are used to hold dentures in place. Dentures are typically held in place by suction. Mini implants are placed in the denture and the jaw allowing the denture to be snapped into place. With this system much of the denture that normally covers the pallet can be cut away. Having a horseshoe shaped snap in denture is much more comfortable and secure.
