Dental Implants Procedure, Cost and Types

What are the dental implants and why do they matter in medicine? The term refers to a structure that may replace a missing tooth. A dental surgery is required to do that. The healthcare professional has to input an implant into the jawbone to make it look and act as an artificial tooth. They are called crowns. The idea is that the special device connects the new tooth to the implant. A professional should help to find a suitable replacement based on the patient’s color and peculiarities.

The dental implants have such pros as natural appearance, comfort, high success rate, and improved chewing functionality. That is not the full list of reasons to choose dental implants over dentures. Implants, especially of the endosteal material, also guarantee quality maintenance and support of the bone. They don’t have to be removed and cleaned every 24 hours. The dental implants guarantee reduced threat of cavities in neighboring teeth. Finally, they lead to minimized sensitivity in nearby teeth, causing almost no discomfort.

Initially, two types of dental implants exist. The first one is known as endosteal implants. The second group is made of subperiosteal. The first category means the one located in the bone, while the second category of implants is the one that is placed on top of the jawbone (under the gum tissue). The second type of dental implants are no longer used nowadays. This is explained and justified by the numerous studies that showed low efficiency of such treatment.

The expected results were achieved only when using endosteal alternative. The major feature of the both categories is to replace (relocate) the teeth. However, dental implants may help in other fields when it comes to different dental processes. The implants are considered very stable. Because of that, healthcare professionals may recommend applying them as supporting element for the replaceable denture. It can guarantee a safer and more convenient fit. Still, it is important to note that dental implants do not fit everybody. The device should bond with the jawbone.

So, the endosteal implant goes directly into the jawbone to hold artificial tooth/teeth via abutments. As for the appearance, they remind one of tiny screws (tapered/cylindrical). The second type, which is not in active usage now, possesses a metal base to be placed under the gum tissue above/on the jawbone. Various materials are applied to design dental implants. The basic price of the dental implant usually depends on the material it is made of. If the idea of wearing metal scares you off, you may try devices made of ceramics and polymers.

The most frequently used material is titanium as experts call it the best one. It is powerful, biocompatible with human jawbone. The bone will naturally expand around it as the time passes. Instead of the pure titanium to be used, alloys were developed. The most common option that can replace titanium dental implants is zirconia devices. It contains certain traces of metal. Still, experts treat it as a ceramic implant.

As for the procedure, every individual may possess various reactions to implant surgery. The influencing factors involve the place of the dental implants within the jaw, underlying oral hygiene, overall health condition, the quantity of teeth that need treatment (replacement in this case), and the condition of the target bone. Because of some nuances, extra procedures might be required such as sinus augmentation and ridge modification, which are offered at additional fees.

The price of the dental implantation procedure depends on the factors mentioned above as well as materials. Also, the quantity of implants required and their location in the mouth may have an impact on the cost. The healthcare expert should calculate the final fee according to those factors, along with considering the medical insurance of the patient. The initial exam will determine the total fee. Some policies will cover most of the price. The average cost of a single implant in the United States is $3,000-4,000. In rare cases, this number can reach as much as $28,000.