We all want a bright and perfect smile. It is important since your smile is one way to make a great first impression. If you have missing or damaged teeth, or if you feel self conscious about your teeth and smile, there is something you can do to fix it. Dental implants are permanent perfect teeth that will complete your smile for the rest of your life.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are long lasting replacement teeth that are molded out of ceramic, and attached to the bone of your jaw with small titanium rods. Your dentist will drill a small hole and bond the titanium rods tightly into the jaw bone, which become artificial roots for your new teeth. A ceramic crown that looks identical to your other teeth is then placed over the rods, and your smile is good as new.
Are they worth it?
If you are missing teeth and looking for a way to get a natural looking smile back, then dental implants are definitely going to be worth it for you. Dental implants look exactly the same as your real teeth, and are designed to last a lifetime. They even can help prevent bone loss, which can happen when you lose a tooth. The bone underneath the lost tooth will begin to get reabsorbed by your body, causing your jaw to weaken and potentially make you look older. But, dental implants will stabilize and strengthen your jaw, so that the bone doesn’t get reabsorbed into your body.
Many people agree that dental implants are often preferred to dentures. Dentures can be bulky, uncomfortable, and can cause pain and irritation depending on the fit. There’s also the added inconvenience of having to remove dentures to soak at night. Unlike dentures, dental implants act just like real teeth, so you can eat and talk as you normally would.
However, if you have all your teeth or don’t need ones to be pulled out completely, then speak with your dentist because there may be other solutions that are cheaper and easier than implants. You may want to look into crowns, bridges, or veneers.
Are there any risks?
Dental implants does require surgery, so there are some risks you may want to consider first. Usually problems that arise are rare, but can be easily treated. Dental implants also have a very high success rate.
Some risks include:
- Infection at the implant site
- Damage to surrounding teeth or blood vessels
- Nerve damage (which is very rare if you’re working with a qualified professional)
- Implant failure
With all that said, be sure to find a reputable dentist or oral surgeon that you trust.
How much do they cost?
While prices can vary depending on your dentist’s experience, your location, or how many implants you may need, the average cost of a dental implant is about $3,000 to $4,000 per tooth, according to the New York Times. The high cost may be surprising, but this is because implants usually require both an oral surgeon and a dentist along with several office visits to complete the procedure.
The good news is that the cost of dental implants are dropping, and are way cheaper now than they have been in the past. Materials and supplies are now easier to produce and obtain, so dentists can lower the costs of the procedure as a whole.
What’s important to keep in mind is to do your research if you are considering dental implants. Speak with multiple dentists and oral surgeons to not only compare prices, but also to see if dental implants are the right choice for you depending on your current health.
Resources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
2. https://www.realself.com/dental-implants
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/health/31patient.html
4. https://www.aaid-implant.org/faq/
