Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants
Dental implants are by far the most popular treatment option for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is a dental prosthetic that is designed to mimic a natural tooth by supporting and anchoring a dental restoration directly in the jawbone (like a tooth's natural roots).
Dental implants can be used to replace individual missing teeth or several missing teeth, depending on a patient's oral health goals and smile restoration needs.
When replacing teeth on a one-for-one basis (i.e. one dental implant per one missing tooth), a dental implant supports a porcelain dental crown.
One or two dental implants can also be placed to support a dental bridge in order to replace many teeth that are missing in a row.
Several (usually four, six, or eight) strategically placed dental plants can be placed to support a full or partial denture. These dentures can be designed to be permanently fixed (All-on-X) or removable (snap-on/overdenture), depending on the patient's needs and preferences.
Dental implants have become the most popular and highly recommended tooth-replacement treatment option because of the many benefits and advantages that they offer over alternative treatments like traditional dentures or Maryland-bonded bridges.
Dental implants are designed to mimic natural teeth. As a result, they are the most natural-looking, feeling, and functioning tooth-replacement option available. They fit securely, are custom designed to each patient's unique specifications for a highly comfortable fit, and they work just like natural teeth. With dental implants, there's no need to worry about biting into an apple, chewing a tough steak, or enjoying a taffy.
Dental implants do not require the use of the sticky, messy dental adhesives that traditional dentures require.
Dental implants are not held in place with wires or brackets and they never slip or move around in the mouth. As a result, they never cause any mouth sores or discomfort for patients.
Dental implants mimic a tooth's root system and directly stimulate the jawbone. This helps to trigger bone generation and prevents the degeneration of the jawbone that can occur with other types of restorative treatments. As a result, dental implants preserve the patient's bone structure and features while safeguarding their general oral health by preventing neighboring teeth from shifting out of alignment and creating bite problems.
The average cost per tooth for treatment with dental implants can range from about $1,000 to $6,000. The total cost of treatment with dental implants varies greatly from patient to patient, as the cost of treatment depends on several factors such as the number of dental implants being placed, whether or not any preparatory work is required (i.e. bone grafting and/or tooth extractions), the type of dental restoration required, and the patient's dental insurance coverage.
After evaluating your oral health and bone structure and talking with you about your treatment goals and preferences, we can provide you with a thorough estimate of your total treatment costs. Plus, our office staff will be happy to help you navigate your insurance policy to better understand the type of coverage you can expect.
Dental implants are made from highly durable, biocompatible metal, and they are designed to last a lifetime. To safeguard the investment you make in your oral health with dental implants, we strongly encourage patients to take good care of their oral health, as periodontal disease and the associated gum recession and bone degeneration can result in the loss of dental implants. We recommend visiting the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and examination in addition to adding a water flosser to your usual oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing.
At Starbody Dental, we're proud to provide patients with full-service smile restorations and dental implants. The dental implant treatment process can look a bit different for every patient, depending on the patient's current oral health, bone structure, and treatment needs. During a consultation, we will be happy to answer all of your questions and talk with you about what the treatment process would look like for you. If you are missing one or more teeth, we encourage you to contact our office in Murfreesboro to request a consultation with our dentist today.
Call 615-896-1330 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
