Understanding Dental Implants: Eligibility, Procedure, Costs, and Aftercare

Understanding Dental Implants: Eligibility, Procedure, Costs, and Aftercare
Understanding Dental Implants: Eligibility, Procedure, Costs, and Aftercare

Implants are a popular and efficient way to replace missing or damaged teeth. Unfortunately, not everyone is suitable for this procedure due to potential risks. Before deciding on dental implants, consult your dentist about their potential advantages and drawbacks and whether you are an appropriate candidate.

How to Determine If You’re a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Get a Doctor’s Evaluation

The best choice for tooth implant will be evaluated. As the initial step, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone to ensure enough healthy bone structure to support the implant. This first assessment is essential in determining if you qualify.

Before beginning the dental implant process, if your jawbone is too thin or soft for implant placement, bone grafting or another procedure may be recommended. Furthermore, there must be no periodontal disease present in your gums.

One or more teeth can be replaced with dental implants. The type and extent of the operation you can expect depends on how many teeth need replacing.

Things to Consider:

  • Be sure to ask your dentist about the brand and model of dental implant systems used.
  • Smoking can impede the healing process and diminish its long-term success.

In most cases, you will need a temporary abutment in place of the tooth while its implant body heals – which could take several months or longer.

Good General Health

Your general health can greatly influence if you’re a suitable candidate for this procedure, how long the healing process will take, and the implant may last. Certain medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or heart disease, may increase the risk of complications during implant or healing processes. Therefore, you should discuss any current medical needs with your dentist before getting dental implants.

How Long Do Dental Implants Take?

Once you pass your examination with flying colors, your dentist will arrange for dental implant surgery – the initial step in the process – to begin.

Dental Implant Surgery

Your dentist will insert the titanium dental implant into the jawbone beneath where the missing tooth once resided, taking anywhere from one to two hours for each implant. Following surgery, patients must wait while the titanium rod and jawbone gradually fuse.

Osteointegration, or bone healing, can take anywhere from six weeks to three months or longer, depending on the patient’s capacity for healing. Although this waiting period may seem tedious, it is necessary to complete dental implant surgery successfully.

Recommendations for Patients After the Dental Implant Process:

  • Schedule regular appointments with your dentist.
  • Let your dentist know if your implant feels loose or painful as soon as possible.

You can ask for recommendations for excellent dental urgent care.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Pay special attention to the oral hygiene instructions your dentist has provided you. For your implant to last long-term, you must regularly clean both surrounding teeth and the implant itself.

Dental Implant Costs

Evaluation Cost

The cost of an evaluation depends on who performs it and how comprehensively. Many dental insurance plans may cover part or all of this assessment’s expense.

Procedure Cost

The complexity and number of teeth needing replacement may influence the cost of dental implants. Additionally, location can affect pricing as well.

Dental implants may be more costly than bridges or dentures, but they last a lifetime. Before investing in any dental implant procedure, ensure your insurance provider covers it.

On average, dental implants cost between $2,000 and $3,000. However, the abutment and crown may add another $6,000 per tooth to this cost. Before beginning the procedure, make sure your dentist provides an estimated cost. Moreover, some dental offices offer payment plans as an added convenience.

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Conclusion

To qualify for dental implant surgery, you must be in excellent overall health with enough jawbone to support the implant, healthy gums, and be committed to practicing good oral hygiene. The cost will depend on your required level of assessment and what type of dental insurance you have.