3 Answers To Your Dental Implant Questions
Posted on: 29 December 2022
If you have missing teeth, you may be considering tooth-replacement options, including dental implants. Dental implants are growing in popularity because of their many benefits. If you would like to know more, keep reading.
1. What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial titanium tooth roots. The dentist installs them directly into the jawbone, where the old tooth roots once sat. Once the area heals, the dentist adds an abutment to attach the artificial tooth crown. Commonly made from metal and porcelain, the artificial tooth crown looks amazingly realistic.
Depending on how many teeth you're missing, you may want a single implant, an implant-supported bridge, or implant-supported dentures. Single implants and implant-supported bridges are permanent, so you can't remove them. However, while the dentures snap into place for a secure hold, you can and should remove them for cleaning.
2. How Long Do They Last?
Ideally, your dental implant lasts forever, and you never need to replace it. However, on average, 50 to 80 percent of crowns need to be replaced after 15 to 20 years. Wear and tear may cause the crown to:
- Wear down
- Chip
- Crack
- Stain
Dental implants are incredibly durable because they use the jawbone directly for support. In fact, the bone fuses to the titanium root to mimic the hold of ligaments. In turn, this also stimulates the jawbone, which reduces the risk of future tooth loss.
3. How Much Do They Cost?
Dental implants are the most expensive tooth-replacement option, but you get what you pay for. Traditional bridges put wear and tear on healthy teeth, and usually need to be replaced. Dentures may need to be relined or resized frequently as your jawbone shrinks. In addition, replacing the tooth reduces the risk of shifting teeth and bite issues.
On average, you'll pay about $2,400 to $3,000 for a dental implant. However, the price can increase significantly if you need other treatments like a bone graft. Of course, implant-supported bridges and dentures can cost a lot more, but they also replace more teeth. In the end, you actually save money when you choose an implant-supported bridge (or dentures) vs multiple single implants.
Dental implants are a durable way to replace your missing teeth. They are expensive, but they are also an investment that can last a lifetime. If you would like to know more about dental implants, or if you want to schedule a consultation, contact a dentist in your area today.
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