Have you been missing one or more teeth for some time now? You may be self-conscious when you smile or eat certain foods. Traditional options like dentures may not provide a natural feel or look. Dental implants could restore your confidence and quality of life if this sounds familiar. But what exactly are dental implants? How do they work, and how long do they last? This blog post seeks to address these questions and help you understand if dental implants are right for you.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Made of titanium, implants blend in naturally with your other teeth. They provide a secure anchor that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Unlike dentures or bridges that rely on surrounding teeth for support, implants bond directly to your jawbone. This creates a secure foundation that feels and functions just like natural teeth.
How Does the Dental Implant Process Work?
Typically, dental implants involve at least two phases – surgical implantation and tooth connection.
Here are the basic steps:
- Consultation: Your dentist will do an exam, and take x-rays and impressions of your mouth to determine if you’re a good candidate for implants. Factors like adequate bone density and health are considered.
- Surgery: A small titanium implant is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. This post-like fixture fuses with your jaw over 3-6 months to create stability.
- Healing: During healing, the bone naturally grows around the titanium implant to securely anchor it in a place like a natural root. You may have a temporary denture or crown to ensure proper jawbone stimulation.
- Connecting the tooth: Once fused, an abutment and artificial tooth are attached to sit securely atop the implant post. This new replacement tooth snaps into place just like your real ones.
- Follow-up visits: Your dentist checks the implant fit and makes adjustments if needed. With implants like natural teeth, you still need regular cleaning and checkups.
The entire process from initial consultation to a secured replacement tooth generally takes anywhere from 3-6 months. Your dentist will provide a custom timeline based on your individual needs and healing.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
While implants can restore your smile naturally, they aren’t appropriate or necessary for all missing tooth cases. Candidates most suited for implants include:
- Healthy patients missing 1 or more teeth due to injury, decay or other factors
- Adequate bone density to securely fuse the implant
- Willingness to commit to follow-up visits for maintenance
- Nonsmokers or those willing to quit – smoking hinders healing
- Realistic expectations about costs, treatment and lifelong maintenance
If you’ve lost many teeth over time, have severe bone loss, have certain diseases, or smoke heavily, implants may not be suitable. Alternatives like dentures, bridges or tooth-supported crowns are better options. Consult your dentist to see if implants can work for your unique dental history and health profile. With the right circumstances, implants can provide a long-term natural solution.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
When placed and cared for properly, dental implants are designed to function for many years, sometimes a lifetime. According to dental research studies, modern implant success rates are around 95% or higher over 5-10 years. However, long-term outcomes also depend on your own oral health habits and regular checkups with a dentist:
- With regular cleaning, implants can potentially last 15-20+ years with good at-home care.
- Problems are rare if implants are not overloaded and subject to trauma from accidents or heavy grinding/clenching.
- The titanium post remains stable for decades or longer in the jawbone, even if other parts need replacement.
- Failure is uncommon if you quit smoking, control diabetes or do not have other risk factors that impact healing.
- Implants may need relining, recemented or replacement components of the artificial tooth portion over time.
So, while implants may need occasional maintenance, titanium posts typically maintain stability for life when placed correctly. Top-rated dental implant success is as durable as your natural teeth when given similar care.
The Cost of Dental Implants
There is undoubtedly an investment required for dental implants. Costs vary depending on your location, complexity of the case and the dentist’s experience level. However, implants are considered a cost-effective way to replace missing teeth permanently compared to years of removable dentures or bridgework replacements:
- A single-tooth implant ranges from $3,000-$6,000, including the artificial replacement tooth.
- Multiple tooth implants or full upper/lower arch cases will cost $15,000- $40,000, and they are usually done in phases over time.
Most dental insurance does not cover implants, but you may qualify for reimbursement policies or care credit financing options.
Consider the long-term functionality and confidence restoration that last decades versus temporary solutions.
While an upfront expense, dental implants eliminate the constant cost of repairing dentures, bridges or instability from partial edentulism over a lifetime. Investing in properly fitted, durable implants provides excellent long-term oral health value.
Is Maintaining Dental Implants Difficult?
While they are highly durable, regular care and checkups are still important to ensure the success of any dental implant over time:
- Brush and floss around implants just as you would natural teeth, being gentle to avoid damaging gum tissues.
- Use special brushes or interdental cleaners to reach all implant areas. Tartar buildup can lead to bone loss.
- Visit your dentist at least twice annually for professional cleanings and to monitor peri-implant health and bone levels around posts.
- Replace worn or damaged replacement teeth as needed rather than risk causing trauma to implant posts from excessive pressure.
- Limit intake of hard/sticky foods that could dislodge or crack replacement teeth or crowns over time.
- Control chronic conditions like diabetes, follow prescribed medications, don’t smoke and avoid trauma from accidents to reduce implant failures.
Dental implants can last many years with little effort, with proper homecare and routine dental visits as preventive maintenance. Committing to excellent personal and professional hygiene practices is key to your implants functioning effectively as a trustworthy replacement.
Restoring Your Smile and Confidence
Replacing missing teeth allows people to regain function, like chewing and speaking clearly, and boosts self-esteem and comfort in interacting in social situations that involve smiling. Modern dental implants stabilize replacement teeth so naturally that others can’t tell they are artificial. Few treatments in dentistry provide such a convincingly natural appearance and feel.
If you’ve been self-conscious about gaps from missing teeth or have been relying on removable dentures that move, dental implants could wonderfully restore your joy in eating anything without hesitation or worry your teeth could fall out. No one wants to isolate themselves due to oral insecurities. Implants make it feel like your lost teeth are never gone, rebuilding confidence every time you interact with others.
Regaining your smile is so important to your overall health, well-being and happiness. Reclaiming your natural look and comfort through dental implants is never too late. Book a consultation with your dentist to determine if you are an implant candidate. Take the first step to potentially transform your smile for years to come so you can confidently share your beautiful grin anytime, anywhere!
Book Your Appointment Today!
If you are looking for a dentist in Sarnia specializing in dental implants, contact Clearwater Family Dental today! Whether you are searching for an emergency dentist or want a new family dentist sarnia in the area, we are ready to help.
