Get the Smile You've Been Missing With Dental Implants
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. While there are other types of artificial teeth, dental implants are considered one of the best because they offer a long-term solution, with the implants functioning closer to natural teeth than other options. The biggest difference between dental implants and other solutions, such as dentures, bridges or crowns, is the base of the implants. Dental implants use a titanium base. Over time, the titanium fuses to the bone cells in your jaw.
The titanium fusion creates a strong, durable anchor for your teeth. There is no slippage or unwanted movement, which commonly occurs with other artificial teeth. The implants are strong enough where you do not need regular maintenance. Eating is much easier with dental implants than other artificial teeth. Implants are also designed to mimic the appearance of real teeth.
Preparing for Dental Implants
Installing dental implants is an involved process. There are several steps you must take to determine whether you are eligible for implants. The first is a comprehensive dental exam. During this process, your dentist examines your mouth with X-rays and 3D imaging, as well as making molds of your teeth and jaw. Next, your dentist goes over your medical history. This allows your dentist to create a treatment plan leading up to the installation.
The biggest issue with dental implants is developing a strong jawbone. If your jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft, you are not eligible for dental implants. This is due to how much pressure is placed on your jawbone from chewing. If the bone is not strong enough to support the base of the implant, the surgery fails.
You can still get a dental implant, but you must strengthen your jawbone first. One of the ways to prepare your jawbone is from a bone graft. There are two primary options, either a natural bone graft, which uses the bones in your body, or a synthetic graft. Depending on the strength of your jawbone, you may need several months to let the new bone grow. If you only need a minor graft, it is often installed at the same time as the dental implants.
Installing Dental Implants
Dental implants have three separate parts. The first is the titular implant. This is a screw installed through your gum and into your bone. The next part is the abutment, which is a permanent connector attached to the implant. The final part of the implant is the crown. The crown is an artificial tooth, typically made out of zirconium or porcelain.
The actual installation process greatly varies from patient to patient. After the implant is installed, you must wait for the jawbone to grow and merge with the implant. Based on the strength of your jaw, this process may take several months. Once the implant settles, the abutment is installed. The actual installation goes quickly, but you must wait two to three weeks for your gums to heal.
Once your gums heal, your dentist takes another mold of your mouth and remaining teeth. The mold is used to make realistic looking crowns. Next, you must decide on the type of crown you want. There are two options, removable and fixed. Removable crowns are similar to dentures, snapping directly onto the abutment. Fixed crowns are screwed or cemented directly onto the abutment.
Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants varies based on the materials you use, but in most cases, it costs between $3,000 and $4,500 per implant. Some dental insurance plans cover some or all of the costs of installing implants. Some plans only cover portions of the implant process. For example, most plans do not cover installing the implant or abutment, but will pay for the crown installation.
Saving Money on Dental Implants
There are a few tips to save money on your dental implants. The first is to shop around. Get quotes from several dentists, as well as periodontists and oral surgeons. Installing implants requires many components. Dentists and other oral specialists have different suppliers, which has a large impact on how much you are charged. Where the dentist is located also changes price. Dentists in larger cities often charge more because they have higher overhead costs compared to practices in smaller areas.
Another option is to finance your dental work. Financing dental work is similar to taking out a loan. The financer provides the upfront cost for your implants. You pay off the borrowed amount in monthly payments, with interest. One of the biggest dental finance companies is CareCredit. CareCredit is a good choice because they offer fixed terms with lower-than-average interest rates. While they are not specifically a dental financer, LendingClub provides general loans, with minimal credit score requirements.
If you do not want to borrow money, another option is discount dental plans. Dental plans are a yearly membership where you receive discounts on dental coverage. The exact discounts vary based on the plan, but are sometimes as high as 60 percent. Dental plans are a good choice for implants, because even the quickest installation takes several months. Even if you do not use your discount plan for the rest of the year, you are still saving a significant amount of money.
