Did you know that approximately 3 million people in the USA have dental implants? And that over 500,000 people are added every year? Most of these people choose implants because they are not satisfied with their current teeth or (the maintenance of) dentures. Wondering if you need dental implants? Chances are that your dentist already recommended them, but it is very important to do your own research on dental implants as well.
When Do You Need Dental Implants?
Before I tell you why you need them, it’s good to know what a dental implant is. Dental implants are structures that replace missing teeth. It’s possible you’ll need one, but sometimes the teeth are in such bad shape that a dentist can only recommend full-mouth dental implants or getting dentures, especially when you’re older.
To get dental implants you need dental surgery, where a healthcare professional need to put the implant in the jawbone, to make it look like an artificial tooth. This is also known as implanting a crown. Once the abutment is put in the jawbone, it will connect the new (artificial) tooth to the implant and your teeth will look great again, and you can start living and be able to laugh with an open mouth again because there will be no more holes or ugly teeth to see.
The question is; is this really necessary? The answer is: absolutely! Why? The first reason is aesthetics, most people are more confident with complete and well-cared-for teeth. This isn’t the only reason, though. Having dental implants, instead of holes in your teeth, is also important for the overall function of your mouth. They help support a healthy bite, keeping other teeth in place while also supporting the jawbone and also prevents bone deterioration.
This sounds like an exaggeration, but when a tooth is pulled and not replaced, there is a chance that the jawbone will deteriorate. You can prevent this by having a dental implant because it ensures that the jawbone experiences enough pressure again (during chewing), which keeps the jaw working properly. Now you know why dental implants are so important, it is important to know which type of implant suits you and what it might cost you. Check this out on the next page.
There are two types of dental implants, and they are called: endosteal implants and subperiosteal. The first one is the implant which is put in the jawbone, while the second one is placed over the jawbone – and under the gum tissue. Years of research have shown that the subperiosteal works a lot less well, while the endosteal implant achieves very good results. Dentists therefore only place these dental implants nowadays.
What Are the Costs of Dental Implants?
Now the big question is; what do they cost? The price of dental implants really varies because every set of teeth – or case – is different, but it usually depends on the following things: the material it is made from, how much work is it, and whether is it just one tooth or you need more – or even full mouth dental implants.
Not liking the idea that you are walking with metal in your mouth, you can try ceramic, titanium, or polymer dental implants. They give the same result as metal but are more expensive. Dentists will almost always recommend choosing titanium devices, as this material is the best compatible with the jawbone.
The costs for the procedure differ as everybody reacts differently to implant surgery. The operation but also aftercare will take a lot longer if you have poor oral hygiene, poor overall health condition or the quality of the bone where the implants will be inserted is in a bad state.
All this will be taken into consideration before the dental expert tells you what the final fee is. The average costs of a single dental implant are between $3000 and $4000. Good to know: some policies cover most of the price, and sometimes you can apply for free dental implants.