4 Common Questions People Have About Dental Implants

Tooth implants have been around for a while, but they are still largely unknown to a lot of people. For a long time, most people who had one or more consecutive missing teeth used bridges to correct the issue. However, dental implants could be a much better option for many of them. These implants look and work just like any normal tooth, which makes them much more convenient and natural.

If you are curious about dental implants, you may have questions about them and want to know if you're a good candidate, or you may have some questions about the procedure. Below we'll answer some of the most common questions people have about dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

A Swedish dentist invented the dental implant procedure in the 1960s, and they're now the standard option for missing teeth. Each dental implant is made up of two parts: the base and the crown. The base will be inserted into the jaw and fused with the bone to form a permanent root for the crown. The crown will then be screwed to the base. The base will usually be made of medical-grade titanium because of its durability. The dental crown will be made of porcelain in most cases or medical-grade materials made to replicate the natural appearance of teeth.

If you take care of your teeth and implant properly, they could last you a lifetime. All you'll need to do is go back to your dentist for regular teeth check up and cleans and adjustments.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

You should know that dental implants cannot be installed overnight. Note that the procedure can take up to 8 months in total to be completed and is done in two parts. Once the screw is inserted into the jaw, you have to give it time to fuse with the implant. While inserting the screw into the jaw can be done in a day, the fusing process could need anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

Once the screw is stable, your doctor will call you in to have the crown fitted. This part may take more time than implanting the screw since they will need to create a crown by taking a mould of your teeth. While the attachment process can be done in a few minutes, making the crown can take anywhere from one to weeks.

If you are looking for a Dentist in Brisbane and want the procedure to go as fast and smoothly as possible, we suggest that you check out a dentist with extensive resources, like Pure Dentistry. You can find out more about them at puredentistry.com.au. They have experts at every level and will be able to get the job done in a fraction of what it could take for a smaller clinic. They also have all the latest implant technologies and are well versed in all types of procedures, so they will be able to perform virtually anything that you need.

What Makes Dental Implants Different than Other Options?

Some people may be asking themselves why they should go with implants instead of dentures or dental bridges, but there are many cases where they're the best option by far. For one, there are no food restrictions when you have dental implants. With dentures, there are tons of foods that you'll have to scratch off your list, which can become inconvenient.

Another thing about dentures is that they still leave your gums somewhat vulnerable. While they should be properly secured, food and fluids can still find their way underneath and lead to gum disease. A denture will not maintain your jaw's bone density like a permanent implant will, either.

One more benefit of dental implants is that they don't require any change to the teeth around them and will maintain the shape of your face. People with dentures often end up with sunken faces after a while. You won't have to worry about that with implants.

How Much Can I Expect to Pay?

This is a tough one since there are so many variables at play. When calculating your quote, your dentist will take things such as the cost of materials, consultation fees, and specialist fees into account. Again, it is best to work with a team with extensive resources that can keep as much as possible in-house so they can keep costs down.

Where you're located will also make a difference. You can expect to pay more if you're living in an urban center, for instance. If you want a rough estimate of how much it will cost, expect to pay anywhere from $2850 to $6500 for a single tooth implant, unless you need extra work that could complicate the process like a bone graft or a sinus lift.

So, if you had some questions about dental implants, we hope we were able to help. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you have left with a good dentist; they'll be more than glad to help.