Did you lose a tooth because of an accident or from a dental condition like periodontitis? Are you insecure about you dentures falling off? Or does a missing tooth demystify your gorgeous set of teeth? If that is the case, it’s high time you considered getting a dental implant.

Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are infused to the jawbone, as opposed to the popular myth that they are only glued to gums—that gives them the sturdiness and strength to support artificial teeth implanted to them. The end result is a fully-functional replacement tooth, similar to that of a natural tooth, just without the regenerative capability, that is. Replacement teeth can also be tinted to match your teeth’s natural color.

The reason why dental implants are so popular is that they can stand alone without the support of adjacent teeth. In fact, these metal posts are like bones themselves when properly infused. Dental implants offer a better solution for people who have lost their front teeth and do not want dentures to fill in the gap. Other reasons of getting dental implants include: avoiding sores, distaste for the clunky feeling that dentures give, and gagging.

Dental implants can also be used as mounts for dentures and bridges. For people who have lost a number of teeth and want removable replacements that fit in easily and grip tightly, they should consider getting dental implants as mounts for their dentures.

As a standards protocol for getting implants, the one receiving them should have healthy gums and a sturdy and complete alveolar bone to keep the implants intact. False teeth that are implanted on the posts should be well taken care of and brushed more thoroughly than natural teeth because they don’t have any regenerative capabilities, hence, more prone to tarnishing and breakage if not well-taken care of.

Dental implants are usually covered by a dental insurance provider, but only to a certain amount, since they are a costly procedure. Expect to shell out anywhere between $1,250 to $4,000 for a single implant and more than $16,000 to $40,000 for an entire array of teeth—striking figures if you’d ask us, but are logically the most cost-effective tooth replacement solution since dental bridges can break easily and do not offer the strength and rigidness dental implants have.

There are two types of implants recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), namely:

1. Endosteal Implants – or the “traditional” method, it involves infusing the metal post/s directly to the jawbone. A subsequent surgery will follow if the first one went well—this is to connect another post to the original implant. After recuperation, the artificial tooth is finally attached to the post.
2. Superiosteal implants – this will use a metal frame, instead of a post, as the baseline support. The frame is fitted on the jawbone, hidden just beneath the gum tissue. Afterwards, a post will be attached to the frame, discreetly piercing itself through the gums. The false tooth/teeth can now be attached.

Getting implants may be a tough decision, but it is a wise one if you consider the long term benefits it yields. Dental implants may replace a single tooth, or an entire set of teeth (regardless of position). Just make sure to make the proper plans to minimize the cost. Maximize the worth of your dental insurance plan by selecting the best dentist in their network of dentists.

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