I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
Dental implants are great for many people who don't want dentures or partials after losing teeth. Before you decide whether to get dental implants, it's important to talk to a dentist about the process. Dental implants may be a good choice in the following four circumstances.
Single Missing Tooth
If you've lost just one tooth, an implant is often an ideal solution. One benefit of a single-tooth implant is that it won't cause friction with neighboring teeth. This is a common problem with single-tooth partials. Including the cost of other potential procedures to make the implant work, going the single-tooth route may cost between $3,100 and $5,800 based on ADA survey data.
All Teeth Gone
If you've lost all your teeth, all-on-four or all-on-six dental implants can give you a new set of teeth. This type of implant uses several posts to support the arches of replacement teeth. The arches are comprised of materials like the ones commonly found in dental bridges. Some dentists also provide same-day treatments where the all-on-four implants go in right after all the teeth come out. Depending on the complexity and speed of the process, the ADA survey indicates the cost will be between $24,000 and $50,000.
Implant and Bridge
If you need a bridge but don't have a natural tooth to support one end, a dental implant is a potential solution. Traditionally, a bridge straddles two healthy teeth. In the implant scenario, the bridge would straddle a single healthy tooth and an implant post. However, the prosthesis would be pretty much the same as a typical bridge.
Especially if you've lost teeth in the back of your mouth, dental implant surgery may be the only way to make a bridge possible. This approach helps people who've lost teeth to acid reflux issues or trouble with their wisdom teeth, for example.
Reasonable Remaining Bone Density
When getting an implant, the remaining dental bone material above the jawbone is important. The implant post goes into a hole in the bone structure, and the bone grows into the post to harden and anchor the mount point. If you've lost a lot of dental bone density following an extraction, it's best to get the dental implants within a few months of the removal procedure. Your gums will have to heal, but a dentist can usually start work on the implants several weeks after the tooth is out.
For more information about dental implants, contact a local dental office.
Share25 January 2023
