Choosing to get dental implants is a life-changing decision! You won’t only notice improvements to your smile, but also to your ability to eat and speak. You’ll feel healthier and more confident!
With such an important decision, however, comes plenty of questions! Our team here at DICE Dental is ready to answer your most popular dental implants questions so you can rest assured that you’re making the right choice!
What are dental implants made out of?
The dental implant itself is made out of a medical-grade titanium screw. That screw is then placed into your jawbone, replacing the missing tooth root. It gets its natural look from an abutment and custom-made crown that is later placed on top of the implant after healing has occurred. By the treatment’s end, your implant will look like a real tooth!
What are the benefits of dental implants?
There are numerous cosmetic and health benefits to dental implants! They won’t only fill in the spaces in your smile, giving you a fuller grin, but they’ll also stop the shrinkage of your jawbone. When your teeth are missing, you experience bone loss and your jawbone shrinks due to a lack of stimulation. Implants restore stimulation and also more evenly disperse force across your mouth. This makes eating a lot easier!
Dental implants also feel and look a lot like your natural teeth. The crown is custom-made and color-matched to blend in seamlessly with your smile.
How long do dental implants last?
With the proper care and oral hygiene, a dental implant can last as long as 25 years! You should brush and floss your implants just as you would your natural teeth. It’s important to maintain good gum health because a strong jawbone and gums are what keep the implant in place.
Do dental implants hurt?
The dental implants process doesn’t hurt! When your implants are placed, you’ll be put under anesthesia to prevent any pain. During the healing process, you may feel a little bit of discomfort. However, we’ll recommend some remedies to make you feel more comfortable.
How long does a dental implant procedure take?
We answered this question in another blog, but in short, it shouldn’t take more than 6 months. Every situation is different, but there are typically five steps to a dental implants procedure:
- Tooth extraction
- Bone grafts
- Implant placement
- Healing
- Placing the crown
Most delays happen during the healing process. For example, if there is an infection. Patients who smoke or have diabetes may also take a longer time to heal.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
We have another blog answering this question too! Nearly everyone is a candidate for dental implants, from young adults in their 20s to young-at-heart adults in their 90s!
However, if you are an uncontrolled diabetic or a heavy smoker, you may have some more difficulties following the surgical procedure and could experience implant failure. You should ask your dentist for more information.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
The success rate of dental implants is about 98%! This makes them the most successful missing tooth replacement option available.
What’s better? Dental implants or dentures?
Every patient, and every smile, is different. No one option is better than another overall. However, one option may be better for you and your unique needs. If you’re missing a single tooth, a dental implant is a seamless solution. An implant is stable and permanent.
Patients missing many teeth or a full arch of teeth may prefer dentures. However, sometimes conventional dentures grow loose over time. That’s when we recommend implant-retained dentures. During that process, a denture is made to snap onto a patient’s implants. The denture is still removable, making it easy to clean, but it is also more stable. (We also offer dentures in Springfield!)
How much do dental implants cost?
This is one of the most common dental implants questions we face! Typically, a single dental implant can run you thousands of dollars. However, here at DICE Dental in Springfield, PA, implant placement starts at only $850. This low price is extended to all of our patients whether they have dental insurance or not.
How do I get a dental implant?
You can start by scheduling a free consultation with our DICE Dental dentists in Springfield! We’ll walk you through the treatment plan process, take x-rays, and answer any other dental implants questions you have.
It’s time to transform your smile! Contact us today!