You probably have a lot of questions about dentures and dental implants—questions we want to answer. We’ve put together this FAQ list to help you learn more about these popular dental devices and how they can improve your life.
One of the most common questions we get from our patients is: Are dental implants worth it? What we really mean is: Are they worth it to me? Everyone’s situation is different. Here are some things to consider when weighing this decision:
Appearance. Many people choose implants because they don’t want to wear dentures or worry about losing them or damaging them when eating. Once placed, they remain effective for the rest of your life. That means no more lost teeth, no more gaps in your smile and no more denture adhesives to deal with.
The price of dental implants vary depending on multiple of factors such as if the patient is insured, how much does the dental insurance company covering, the type of treatment required and more. In general, the average cost for an implant, abutment, and crown ranges between $3000 to $4500.
Dental implants are a permanent solution to a problem that many people experience. They are the only solution that provides a stable foundation for artificial teeth. This can have a significant impact on your life because it means you don’t have to worry about tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, loose dentures and cracked, chipped or broken teeth. Implants have many upsides including:
Dental implants are very effective when it comes to replacing missing teeth. However, they don’t work for everyone if your bone is too soft or weak for dental implants. This isn’t common but it does happen in some cases. Just like with any procedure, dental implants do come with some risks and side effects such as:
Pain – This is the most common side effect of dental implants. Most of the time, the pain goes away after a few days, but it can last for longer periods of time. In some cases, patients find that they need pain medication to manage their discomfort.
Infection – When a dental implant is placed, there is a chance that it will become infected if any bacteria enter the body through the procedure or during recovery. Bacteria can get into the implant and cause an infection of the surrounding area of tissue. Patients who have dental implants may be at risk for an infection due to factors such as smoking or poor oral hygiene
Costly Procedure – A dental implant can be a costly procedure that may not always be covered by insurance.
It’s a common misconception that dental implants are very painful. In fact, this is rarely the case. In our office, we will be taking extra steps to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible and receive exceptional care before, during, and after your implant procedure. We offer various options of sedation at our Fairview dental office.
The dental implant itself are designed to last a lifetime. It’s not unusual for people to get 20, 30, even 40 years of use from the same set of implants. This is assuming the patient receives regular dental check-ups every 6 months. The crown however can last for about 10 to 15 year before it needs to be replaced because of wear and tear.
When the implant is placed, it fuses with your jawbone to give the look of a natural tooth and keep it in close contact with your gums. Dental implants are secured along the gumline so that food cannot get under them. It is possible for food to get stuck if the implant has been placed incorrectly.
Most dental implants can hold multiple teeth, but it depends on the type of implant. A single-tooth implant, for instance, can hold a single tooth without the need for a neighboring tooth on either side, or depending on the missing tooth, it can be placed to support two adjacent teeth. When it comes to multiple-tooth implants, the number of teeth they can support depends on what will be used for the procedure. Multiple implants can be used as a anchor to support fixed bridges or removable partials.
It can vary from person to person and depending on your health and lifestyle. Dental implants can be successful for healthy individuals with good oral hygiene. They have success rates of 90% to 95%.
You can have an implant placed immediately after tooth extraction, although it is best to wait at least three to six months before having an implant placed. The gums will be healing, which means they are susceptible to infection, so it’s best to give the body time to heal before placing an implant.
One of the benefits of regular dental implant is their stability. The lifespan of original implants can last a lifetime with proper dental care. Mini dental implants, on the other hand will cost less than regular implants however they may not be as stable because of their size, and is generally used for patients who want to avoid the need for a bone graft.
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone to support dental implants, you may still be a candidate. Through sinus lift procedures or bone grafting, we can rebuild the bone in your jaw where implants can be placed.
If you have questions about dental implants, contact us at our Fairview, TX dental office to schedule a in-person consultation with us today – 972-468-1440
Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.
