All about dental implants

We are often told to care for our teeth or there may come a time when we really do have to buy our third set. Anyone who has lost a tooth for whatever reason will attest to the fact that replacements are a far cry from the real thing. Not only is it a matter of aesthetics but it can affect many other things that bring us joy and pleasure.False teeth of any kind can affect have a direct impact on how we eat, what our food tastes like, and our appearance. While most of us do not put a lot of value on those things until they are gone, if you’re out shopping for replacement teeth, there are many good reasons why you might want to consider dental implants.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, you should think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. (3)

Average Cost of Dental Implants:

According to Authority Dental, a single-tooth dental implant cost between $1,000 and $3,000. The abutment and crown add between $500 and $3,000. So, the total dental implant cost per tooth is between $1,500 and $6,000. This is the average out-of-pocket price without the help of dental insurance or dental plans. (1) This estimate includes dental implant surgery and some associated costs such as the initial consultation), but the total cost of your procedure may be even higher depending on your circumstances. (1) If you need implants for multiple teeth, the costs only rise higher. There are several types of dental implants, and depending on your tooth replacement needs, one or more could be an option for you. (1)

Appearance of Dental Implants:

Most people don’t realize how much the teeth can influence their appearance. If you’re in doubt, take a close look at a person who wears dentures and then watch how their faces change when they take them out. They instantly age by many years and take on a more emaciated appearance. Dental implants are a revolutionary solution that is both functional and cosmetic. As noted by PGA Dentistry, each implant is designed to look, feel and function just like a natural tooth. (2)

This is one of the main reasons why people opt for dental implants rather than dentures or bridges. Implants are actually made to look, feel, and fit more like your natural teeth than any denture could possibly do. This is mainly due to more than the material used to make them. While the part of the implant that is attached to the bone is made of titanium, the visible part of the implant is actually a prosthetic crown made from a composite material that is custom designed to match the natural color of the enamel of your real teeth. If you have a good dentist working on your implants, he won’t stop there. He will painstakingly mold, sand, and shape your crown until it is an exact replica of the tooth or teeth to be replaced.

But the advantages of dental implants are not limited to just how they look. A lot of it stems from how they are actually implanted into the mouth. Below the surface of the gums where the implant attaches to the bone, a titanium cylinder is installed, which serves as an artificial root. Once attached to the bone, the patient must wait for the cylinder to actually fuse with the natural jawbone so that a strong foundation is created. This is not only a healthier option than dentures because it encourages healthier gum tissue growth thus avoiding the risk of receding gums, which can lead to major problems later on.

Once the titanium cylinder has successfully fused with the jawbone, then a crown can be added giving your entire face a more natural look. The implants then become a permanent part of your appearance. If they are rooted well, they will perform exactly the way your natural teeth do, giving you a nice smile, a strong bite, and reinforcing your jawline. You will care for them in the same way as you would your natural teeth too. They will require regular brushing, flossing, and cleaning to maintain their health over the course of your lifetime.

Worry Free:

Another reason more people are opting for dental implants than the usual dentures and bridges is because they are completely worry free. Not only do they help to enhance your appearance, people are able to speak more clearly, when they eat their bite feels more natural, and there is no need for any type of special maintenance routine to care for them.

The implants become a permanent part of your mouth so there is no need to remove them and soak them in a cup all night; no need to buy special cleaners or special brushes to maintain their natural appearance. And there is no fear of them accidentally falling out because the adhesive didn’t stick or the food you ate put too much stress on them.

Other Advantages of Dental Implants:

There are other reasons why people tend to prefer dental implants to other tooth replacement options. Some of them you may not have even thought about. For example, many people do not realize how implants can actually serve as a protection for the surviving teeth. When a bridge is installed, one of the first things the dentist needs to do is to grind down the surrounding healthy teeth to prepare a surface for the bridge. This causes major damage to otherwise healthy teeth that can never be recovered.

With implants however, this drastic step is never necessary. Instead, the implant is placed directly into the jawbone at the point where the root of the missing tooth was and has no effect on any of the other surrounding teeth. The healthy teeth will also benefit in other ways. Because the implant fills the void left from the missing tooth there is no risk of shifting in the healthier teeth, which is a natural occurrence when there is tooth loss.

Whether you have lost a tooth or teeth as a result of illness, an accident, or just decay, it seems that dental implants are one of the most beneficial ways to recover. Our teeth are very important to us. The benefit is not just in helping us to eat but they enhance our appearance, build up our self-esteem and contribute to a higher quality of life. It just makes sense that we would use an option that mimics more of the natural way we would use them than a mere imitation of the real thing.

No one wants to replace their real teeth but if that time comes for whatever reason it is truly comforting to know that there is now a way to do so that is about as close to what God gave you than anything else. Yes, it does take a bit longer to get implants done but when you weigh the advantages against all other options it is easy to see how much more worthwhile it will be to take the time and do it right.