Dental Implants

Dental Implants at Asher Dentistry

Millions of Americans have lost no less than one tooth permanently. So, if you are going for a dental implant, know that dental implants are a popular choice for tooth replacement with a significant success rate.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a permanent solution for tooth replacement. The dental implant serves as a root when placed into the jawbone. A post (the abutment) has an artificial tooth (the crown), which screws into the implant. The crown is custom-made to match other teeth and look as natural as possible. 

Why should I consider dental implants?

• Appearance
  The sheer beauty of implants is that they look and feel like natural teeth. The implants fuse with the jawbone and become permanent. Your teeth return to optimal function, you look and feel like yourself again. 

• Refined speech
  Poor-fitting dentures often tend to slip within the mouth. When this happens, you may have difficulty speaking and eating comfortably. With dental implants, you do not have these worries. 

• Comfort
  Another benefit is comfort. Implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures. You will not be embarrassed or inconvenienced by having to remove dentures or use messy adhesives to keep them in place. 

• Better Oral Health
  When it comes to dental implants, there is no impact on other teeth, unlike a tooth-supported bridge, which affects the natural teeth on either side. Thus, more of your natural teeth are kept intact with dental implants, thereby improving long-term oral health. Individual implants enable convenient access between teeth, further improving oral hygiene.

Different types of dental implants

There are two dental implants treatment options, endosteal and subperiosteal. In subperiosteal, the surgeon embeds the implant into the jawbone, and each then holds one or more artificial teeth. The surgeon affixes the implant on top of the jawbone with a subperiosteal implant. Surgeons choose this option for people who have a shorter (height) jawbone than the average. The implant procedure can be one of three types depending on the situation. These are next.

• Replacing a single tooth: A dental (single) implant
  Commonly, a dental implant is for replacing a single missing tooth. The procedure requires one post and one crown. A single tooth dental implant replaces the entire missing tooth. When one missing tooth or multiple teeth are not adjacent to one another, this procedure is your ideal option.

• Replacing several teeth: Implant-supported bridge
  Now, when multiple missing teeth that stand adjacent to each other are missing, an implant-supported bridge is an option. A bridge typically contains two crowns on either side of the missing tooth gap, with an artificial tooth, held, in between, by those crowns. 
  
  So, the implant-supported bridge has crowns connected to dental implants on either side. The process is no different from the single tooth dental implant. However, the teeth in the middle of the gap are not implanted but sit on a bridge. With that said, you need not replace every single tooth in that row. It happens all at once! The downside is possible bone mass loss over time. 
• Replacing all your teeth: Implant-retained denture
  Many people battle missing teeth. Most teeth in either the upper or the lower arch go amiss in such cases. The best possible is an implant-retained denture. A denture is an artificial arch of teeth that rests on your gum line. Traditional dentures are removable, meaning they can slip, slide and even fall out. 
  
  So how does this work? The specialists begin by strategically placing four implants along the arch. While they are healing, the current denture is modified. Once completely healed, you get a new, custom denture that fastens to dental implants. The result? It is a permanent, secure denture custom-designed to fit your facial aesthetics. 

How much are dental implants?

As for the cost, note that there is no fixed rate. Much depends on the type and time of surgery. However, keep in mind these factors:

• The number and types of implants
• Location of implants within the jaw
• Any additional procedures for your mouth surgery

When it comes to costs, you must look at the insurance policies. 

Is the dental implant procedure uncomfortable?

Discuss with your dentist options for sedation and to numb the surgical site. Now, this itself considerably reduces pain and discomfort. Once numbed, the drill makes space in the jawbone for the implant. Do not fret! You might feel the pressure most, but you will not have pain from the drilling.

On average, the discomfort in the treated area, face and jaw lasts about ten days. Also, some patients may have localized swelling. The dentist will sort you out with painkillers and antibiotics. The good news is that the swelling and pain begin to decrease from the third day. Within 14 days, the implant will have healed.