Your Guide to Dental Implants: Procedure, Cost, Types, and More

Dental implants have been in existence since 1952 and are standard equipment for prosthetic care. In short, it works as a great replacement for missing teeth. A dental implant is a surgical process which requires fusing them to the jawbone, mimicking a natural tooth. The best part about these dental implants is that they offer great stability without affecting the other teeth. If you think you need such a service and are looking for dental implants in Raleigh NC or Cary NC, here are a few things to know before jumping straight into it.

When Do You Need a Dental Implant?

You might need a dental implant when you’ve lost a tooth – or several – due to injury, decay, or gum disease. While missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious about smiling, the issues run deeper than just appearances. Empty spaces in your mouth can lead to bone loss in your jaw and cause your remaining teeth to shift out of place. The type of dental implants you’ll need depends on your specific situation. For a single missing tooth, your dentist will likely recommend one implant with a crown. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, you might only need two implants to support a bridge. And if you’ve lost all your teeth, you could be a candidate for a full-arch replacement using just 4-6 implants.

Before the Procedure

Dental implants rely on more than one factor, many dentists recommend you undergo the following evaluations to be on the safe side:

• A comprehensive dental exam
• Reviewing the patient’s medical history
• Planning your treatment

Your dentist will check your gum tissue health before moving forward with any dental implant procedure. Healthy gums are essential for successful implants – they help protect the implant and contribute to its stability. They’ll also examine your jaw structure using X-rays or 3D imaging to ensure you have enough bone to support the implant. Sometimes, you might not have enough bone mass for an implant right away. Don’t worry – this doesn’t mean you can’t get implants. Bone grafting procedures can help build up your jaw to create a strong foundation for implants. While this adds some time to the process, it significantly improves your chances of long-term implant success.

The Dental Implant Procedure

Here is the entire process that you can expect during the implant procedure.

• Extraction of the damaged tooth: The damaged tooth is extracted from its position.
• Grafting of the jawbone: This is a process involved when your jawbone is not strong enough to bear the pressure of chewing and hence, cannot support the implant. This process makes a strong foundation for the implant.
• Placing the dental implants: Your dental surgeon will cut the gum, exposing the bone. Holes are drilled into the bone and the dental implant is placed.
• Allowing time for bone growth and healing: Once the implants are done, now is the time to wait for the jawbone to grow back. This process is known as Osseo integration in which the bone grows and integrates with the implant. This may take months at time.
• Placing of abutment: This minor surgery involves reopening the gum to expose the dental implant and place an abutment where the dental crown will fit into.
• Placing the artificial tooth in place of the damaged or missing tooth: Once the mouth heals, your dentist will make impressions of your gums and teeth to create as realistic replacement for the damaged/missing tooth as possible.

What are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Essentially there are two types of dental implants that your dentist will recommend: Endosteal: One of the common types available, these dental implants are usually placed in the jawline or the jawbone. They are made from titanium and are molded as small screws. Subperiosteal: These dental implants, unlike the endosteal are not placed in the jawbone. They are placed under the gum or on/above the jawbone and are typically used for patients with a weak jawbone or those who are unwilling to go for a bone augmentation procedure on their jaws. There are also a couple of different options that your orthodontist might suggest, based on your jawbone’s health and your requirements.

• Mini dental implants
• Immediate load dental implants
• All-on-4 ®

Side Effects of Dental Implants

These are one of the most common issues you might face after a dental implant surgery:

• Skin and gums bruises
• Pain, especially where the implantation has been done
• Minor bleeding
• Swelling gums and sometimes even the face

Read More Here : How Do I Take Care Of My Dental Implants?

Cost of Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants cost vary between $500 to $8000, including the implant, crown and abutment. However, the average for a single tooth implant is $3000 – $4500. More importantly the cost depends on the quality of material used, complexity of the case, place/region where the treatment is performed and the experience of the dentist.

To know more, call us at (919) 646-6538