Superior to all other options for replacing missing teeth, dental implants provide far more oral and overall health benefits than other restorative dentistry options. However, getting dental implants can be a lengthy and involved treatment. Here’s everything you need to know about getting dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants require oral surgery. A dental implant is composed of three parts:
Biocompatible Screw
The screw, made of titanium or zirconia serves as the dental implant. It is surgically implanted in your jaw. The screw mimics a natural tooth root. After surgery to implant the screw, you’ll spend several months allowing a process known as osseointegration to be completed. Osseointegration is a remarkable process in which your jawbone and the soft tissues in your gum, grow up and attach to the biocompatible screw, just like they do with a natural tooth root. This process anchors the implant to your jaw so that it is secure.
Abutment
The abutment attaches to the top of the screw and connects the artificial tooth to the implant post. The abutment will be placed on the top of the screw after osseointegration is complete.
Crown/Artificial Tooth
The artificial tooth that is secured to the abutment and implant looks like your natural teeth.
The Role Your Jawbone Plays in Dental Implants
One of the primary benefits of dental implants is that they prevent jawbone loss. When you are missing a tooth and the tooth root, the jawbone and the soft tissues that normally attach to the tooth root begin to deteriorate. Overtime, if you do not replace the missing tooth or teeth, significant loss of jawbone is likely. When your jawbone recedes your facial structure will change, resulting in a sunken look, that makes you look older.
Because dental implants require enough healthy jawbone to support the jawbone, it is best to replace missing teeth with dental implants as soon as possible. If you wait a long time, you may need a procedure known as bone grafting before your jaw is tall enough, dense enough, and otherwise strong enough to support the dental implant(s).
Dental Implants: A Timeline
Dental implants are a more involved process than replacing missing teeth with dentures or bridges. That means that the process will take longer. If you require bone grafting, you will need to recover from that surgery for several months before you’ll be a candidate for dental implants.
Once the dental implant is surgically placed in the jaw, it may be up to six months before osseointegration is complete, and you can get your permanent false tooth attached to it. However, for some patients the osseointegration process may only take 3-4 months to complete.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The primary benefit of dental implants is that they improve your oral health and overall health. They improve your oral health and overall health by filling gaps that can otherwise allow dangerous bacteria to collect, leading to gum disease, and possibly leading to chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. They also help to preserve your jawbone, which is good for your overall health.
Dental implants also restore your bite force and may help correct any problems with speech you’ve developed as the result of missing teeth. But dental implants don’t require any unusual care. You can brush and floss normally.
Dental implants are stain-resistant and will not develop cavities. This helps keep your mouth looking beautiful and free from decay and infections in the tooth. Implants are also remarkably durable, lasting at least 20 years, and often lasting a lifetime.
Although dental implants can be more expensive than other tooth replacement options, their durability can result in greater cost savings over time, as they will not need to be replaced as frequently as dental bridges.
Thanks to being secure in the jaw, dental implants do not cause any of the embarrassing, or annoying slippage you may experience with dentures. Likewise, you won’t need to worry about using adhesives or glues.
Finally, dental implants maintain the structure of your face. Because they imitate the look and function of a natural tooth, you can prevent premature aging by stopping jawbone loss before it changes the shape of your jaw and mouth.
Who is Eligible for Dental Implants?
Dental implants can replace single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth in a row, or even the entire upper or lower jaw. However, before you’ll be approved for dental implants, your dentist will need to confirm:
- You are free of active gum disease.
- You have enough jawbone to support a dental implant.
- You do not smoke.
- You do not have certain medical conditions that may increase your risk of complications and infections.
- You do not take certain medications that may lead to excessive bleeding.
- You are in good enough health to undergo implant surgery.
Will Insurance Pay for Dental Implants?
All insurance policies are different, so you’ll need to speak with your provider to determine if dental implants will be covered. Many insurance companies consider dental implants to be a cosmetic treatment, so they may offer no coverage. However, other dental insurance plans may cover some portion of your dental implants, such as the crown, or the bridge if you’re getting an implant-supported bridge. Other insurance plans may cover the dentures if you’re getting implant supported dentures.
Your dentist may accept financing from third-party companies such as CareCredit, which can help make dental implants more affordable.
Schedule a Consultation for Dental Implants in Diamond Bar
As a top-reviewed dental implant dentist, Phillips Ranch Dental Group offers free dental implant consultations. Dental implants provided by our top-rated dentists employ all the latest in technological advances, 3-D scanners, digital X-rays, and guided implant placement software.
Phillips Ranch Dental Group is located at 750 N. Diamond Bar Blvd. We are open Monday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Tuesday from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm; Wednesday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Thursday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, and on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. We accept insurance, credit cards, and CareCredit financing for dental implants. Call 909-860-0321 or request an appointment online.
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