At Craig S. Donn, DDS we want our patients to feel empowered about their dental care decisions, and that means making sure they understand the procedures that they are seeking. Below we’ve answered the more commonly asked questions that we hear from patients interested in dental implants. If you can’t find your question on this list, don’t hesitate to contact us with your inquiry.
What are dental implants and why should I consider them?
Dental implants are comprised of three main parts – the titanium screw, abutment, and prosthetic tooth. Each piece requires it’s own surgical procedure to be embedded, over the course of a four to six month period. Dental implants are an ever-growing popular tooth replacement option due to their success thanks to a process known as osseointegration.
The advantages of dental implants can vary from improvements to your oral health, a stronger bite pressure, to creating a more natural-looking porcelain tooth. They are also guaranteed to last a lifetime, prevent future tooth decay, and prevent facial collapse.
What is osseointegration?
Osseointegration is a term for the fusion of the dental implant to the underlying jawbone. This process was actually discovered by accident by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Brånemark while he was researching titanium implants in rabbits. Noticing that the bone successfully fused to the bone, he in turn transferred this new discovery into the field of implant dentistry.
When a dental implant is first embedded into the bone, it triggers the bone to weave it’s fibers around the implant. This forms a strong foundation for the prosthetic tooth to be placed, and also secures the implant to the jawbone. The neighboring teeth around the implant are prevented from slipping out of place and it also prevents facial collapse in the jawbone.
How do they compare to dentures?
Dental implants hold quite a few advantages over dentures, due to their permanence and the effects of osseointegration. Dentures are loosely attached in the mouth, often secured only by an adhesive. However, this does not make them 100% reliable. Patients in Cherry Hill and Camden County, NJ have told us about how their dentures would slip during daily activities like talking or eating, often making it a bit of a challenge to slip the denture back in place. With dental implants, the artificial tooth is embedded deep into the jawbone, where patients need not worry about the implant falling out.
Studies have also shown that the looseness of dentures only supplied about half of the usual bite strength as a normal set of teeth. Dental implants embedded in the jaw act as real teeth, and can tackle any food you desire without needing to worry about the bite pressure. Also, while dentures merely cover up the hole in your smile instead of plugging the source, dental implants fill the hole down to the bone.
How long is the dental implant process?
The process for dental implants will vary from patient to patient. On average the complete process from start to finish can take four to six months. However, there are a number of factors that alter this number. It can depend on how many implants the patient will be receiving, if any supplemental procedures are needed, and any other treatments are recommended by Dr. Donn.
Once it has been determined that dental implants are best for you, Dr. Donn will work closely with you to determine a timeline of procedures that is most convenient for you. Schedule a consultation to find out more about what your personal dental implants timeline may look like.
How much do dental implants cost?
Much like how the length of the process varies between patients, so too will the cost of the dental implants be as well. The average cost of the procedure can be between $1,000 and $4,000. Again, this amount will vary for many of the same reasons that determine the length of the process – the number of implants to be received and any supplemental or pre-treatment procedures that are needed. At Craig S. Donn in Cherry Hill and Camden County, NJ we offer a variety of financing options to fit any budget, so no patient need struggle with the cost.
Am I a candidate?
The best candidates for dental implants are those who are in need of it. If you’re missing one or more teeth, or are at risk of losing one or more teeth, dental implants could be for you. It’s also recommended that patients be in generally good health to undergo dental implant surgery and have good oral health as well. If you have tooth decay or other form of periodontal disease, be sure to let Dr. Donn know during the consultation.
Ask Us More Questions!
Now that you’ve seen what dental implants have to offer, it’s understood that you may have a few question leftover. If so, don’t hesitate to contact us today to speak to one of our helpful staff members. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Donn too, to find out if you’re a candidate for dental implants.