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Key Takeaways: 

This article provides the truth about dental implants, and key points include:

  • What are dental implants 
  • Reasons not to get dental implants 
  • The truth about dental implants cost 
  • Factors that may affect implants cost 

Our appearance can have a significant impact on many other aspects of our lives, including how we interact with people at a personal and professional level. Many people are finding ways to get a straighter, brighter smile because of all the easily accessible advances in dentistry today. What do you do about that straight, bright smile, though, when you have a tooth or two missing?  

That smile can be restored by replacing the missing tooth using a variety of tooth replacement options, including crowns, dentures, bridges, and dental implants. Dental implants are considered the most effective tooth replacement option among these options, with a 95% success rate. These statistics do not include the people who fail at the initial stage because they are not good candidates for the procedure, however. 

This guide will give you the truth about dental implants to help you make an informed decision about the procedure. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that can be surgically inserted into the jaw to restore a person’s chewing function or improve their appearance. Researchers began employing gold and metals to construct dental implants in the 18th century. These attempts failed, and in 1886, a doctor tried installing a porcelain crown on a platinum disc, which also failed.

An orthopedic surgeon discovered the fusing properties in 1952. A titanium cylinder fused with a rabbit’s femur bone during research on bone healing and regeneration, and he theorized that this fusion might be employed in dental implants. The first titanium dental implant was successfully implanted in 1965.

The success of this first implant rapidly improved tooth replacement technology and led to employing titanium alloy screws with rough surfaces to facilitate osseointegration. A crown is placed over the titanium screws after they fuse to the jawbone. Dental implants are considered the most successful tooth replacement procedure, though there is still room for improvement. 

Reasons Not to Get Dental Implants

While the procedure is quite celebrated, there are a few reasons you should consider not getting implants. They include: 

Dental Implants Can Be Costly 

Single implants can cost several thousand dollars, while a whole mouth restoration can cost tens of thousands. It is best to contact a dentist to estimate how much you can expect to spend on dental implants. It may be in your best interest not to get the implants if these costs are a significant factor. 

Implants May Not Be Covered by Insurance

Dental insurance may not cover implants. They may, however, assist cover the implant repair, such as a crown, bridge, partial, or full denture. You should call your insurance provider to see if they will help you before a consultation.

Implants Require Surgery 

Dental implants have to be surgically placed. It may seem insignificant, but all surgical procedures pose some danger to your health. Infection, damage to adjacent teeth, prolonged bleeding, and jaw fractures are some possible concerns associated with dental implants. Talk to your dentist to learn more about the possible risks. 

You Could Lose Bone around the Implant

Dental implants can aid in maintaining jaw bone mass, but bone loss around implants is not uncommon. Too much bone loss may require replacing your dental implant. 

Implants May Take a Long Time to Heal 

Healing can take anywhere between three and eighteen months. Dental implants may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a quick-and-easy solution.

There Is Potential for Failure

There is always a danger that a patient will have implant failure after receiving dental implants. Dental implants are not the best option for everyone. It’s best to have the procedure done by a dentist with extensive experience and training to reduce the likelihood of complications.

There are several reasons not to get dental implants, but for the most part, they usually aren’t reason enough to deter you from deciding on getting implants and making your smile beautiful again. 

The Truth about Dental Implants Cost

The average price of each implant will range between $2,000 and $3,000. This price accounts for the cost of the implant; it does not consider the cost of the abutment or crown. When you factor in the abutment and crown price, you may spend as much as $6,000 on a single tooth. The dentist should provide you with an estimated cost or a definitive price before starting the procedure. 

The cost of implants varies from one dental office to another. The following factors could affect dental implants cost: 

  • The material used to make the implant: The dentist could use titanium or zirconia. Each material comes at a different cost. 
  • The number of dental implants: The more teeth you need to replace, the more money it will require. 
  • You will need to pay more if the bone grafting procedure is required. Getting an implant will take more time if you require the bone grafting procedure. 
  • Patient’s oral health. If you have other oral health issues, the dentist may need to treat those first before placing the implants, increasing the cost. 
  • Tooth extractions: If the dentist needs to extract some teeth first, the procedure will be more expensive. 

You may also stumble across some dental implant review complaints while researching the procedure, but don’t let that deter you, either. Do your due diligence to get the accurate information you need before making a decision. Dental implants work well and are the right choice for most people, and The Dental Team is here to help. 

Get Help from Professionals 

Whether you’ve decided to have dental implants after reading this blog or to go with a different method of tooth replacement, our dentist is happy to sit down with you during a consultation to discuss your options and help you choose the one that will work best for you. Contact The Dental Team today, and we will be happy to help you. 

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