Dental Implants
Replace missing or damaged teeth and restore your smile.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed into your jaw to hold the replacement tooth, bridge, or overdenture. Implants provide a good foundation for the replacement teeth that are fashioned to match the color, texture, size, and shape of your natural teeth. A titanium or zirconia post or screw is integrated into the jawbone (acting as the tooth root), upon which an abutment and ceramic crown are attached.
A dental implant is typically comprised of three parts:
Implant
This is the screw that serves as the root of the new tooth. It attaches to your jaw and forms the basis of support to the would-be crown.
Abutment
It is a permanent connector that is placed on the implant to support the crown in place.
Crown
It is a prosthetic tooth that adheres to the abutment and is visible inside the mouth. Made up of zirconium or porcelain, it provides brilliant strength, durability, and aesthetics to the user.
Implants are great options for people who have lost a tooth or teeth to the whim of periodontal disease, injury, or other factors. About 3 million people in the United States have dental implants, and another 500,000 implants are placed each year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
What are the Different Types of Dental Implants?
Dental implants come in different sizes, heights, and types. Your implant dentist (called a periodontist or implantologist) helps determine the best option for you, depending on your particular needs.
The American Academy of Periodontology assert that dental implants are of two major types:
Endosteal implants (in the bone)
Most commonly in use, these dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative to bridges and removable dentures.
Subperiosteal implants (on the bone)
These implants are placed on top of the jawbone with the metal posts protruding through the gum to help adhere the prosthesis. These are mostly used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures due to minimal remaining bone height.
Today, metal-free Zirconia dental implants have also been rampantly growing in popularity for a variety of reasons. These implants tend to interact well with the bones and gums and offer a holistic solution for patients who want an implant that will also bear their overall health.
As you navigate through your choices for dental implants, you will also encounter some of the top players in this industry that are excellent in design and function. Some of these major dental implant brands we use are MIS, Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Neogen, and DioNavi.
What If I Am Missing Multiple Teeth?
Implant-Supported Bridge (Partial Fixed Denture)
Two dental implants will receive a bridge of dental crowns to fill the missing space with a minimal number of dental implants.
All-on Dental Implants
If you are missing a complete arch of teeth, an “all-on” implant retained denture can be indicated to replace the teeth with as few implants as possible.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. Despite its highly sophisticated design, they aren’t all bells and whistles. Dental implants make for an incredible tooth replacement option that also doesn’t shy away from its extended durability and compatibility with the oral tissues. However, all these features don’t come easy. In the United States, a single dental implant can easily cost over $1,800 with the whole package costing you over $4,000, on average.
| Dental Implant Cost Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Dental Implant | Dental Implant, Abutment, and Crown |
| United States of America | $2,338 | $4,431 |
| Mexico | $750 | $1,435 |
| Costa Rica | $650 | $1,200 |
| Colombia | $790 | $1,385 |
What is the Procedure to Get Dental Implants?
Prior to the dental implant surgery, your dentist will examine your dental health to address your tooth replacement needs as well as create an individualized treatment plan for you.
- Your dentist will place the titanium post within your jawbone using a surgical-guided technology. You will be placed under local anesthetic to avoid any sensations of pain and discomfort.
- The surgical site is left to heal. The healing time is typically 3 to 4 months during which time the titanium post should fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration.
- Once healed, your new custom-designed crown is connected to your dental implant with an abutment head. Your new teeth will look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Dental implants are critical dental prostheses and will require extensive post-surgical care. Smokers should quit because smoking can affect osseointegration, the process by which implant anchors to the jaw bone. For this reason, smokers face a greater risk of implant failure as compared to non-smokers.
What is the Success Rate of Dental Implants
The development and use of implants are one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the last 40 or so years. Not only do dental implants satiate the functional requirements of a natural tooth such as for eating, talking, and chewing, they are also very long-lasting. Dentures and bridges have a worthy lifespan of 7 to 10 years and typically fail to give you the full experience. They often trick you to believe that your dream of a stunning smile may only be temporary, but not dental implants.
Dental implants have an average life expectancy of 25 years and over, owing to their strength and build. It may be due to this coupled with the fact that dental implants are superior in design that dental implants have a high success rate of 95%! It may truly be your best life investment!
Additional Resources
Sources
Naseri R, Yaghini J, Feizi A. Levels of smoking and dental implants failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol. 2020;47(4):518-528. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13257
Read on PubMed
Moraschini V, Poubel LA, Ferreira VF, Barboza Edos S. Evaluation of survival and success rates of dental implants reported in longitudinal studies with a follow-up period of at least 10 years: a systematic review. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015;44(3):377-388. doi:10.1016/j.ijom.2014.10.023
Read on PubMed
What are dental implants? American Academy of Implant Dentistry. https://www.aaid-implant.org/faqs/what-are-dental-implants/. Published March 8, 2021. Accessed December 3, 2021.
This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be used as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you have surrounding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it as a result of anything you read on this Site.
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