Dental Implants (cont.)
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Success rates vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of
up to 98%. With proper care (see below), implants can last a lifetime.
Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?
In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction
or oral surgery can be considered for an implant procedure. Patients should
have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be
committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Heavy smokers, people
suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders -- such as diabetes or heart
disease -- or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area need
to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you are considering implants, talk
to your dentist to see if they are right for you.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?
In general, implants are not covered by dental insurance at this time. Coverage under your medical plan may be possible,
depending on the insurance plan and/or cause of tooth loss. Detailed questions about your individual needs and how they relate to insurance should be discussed with your dentist and your insurance provider.
What Is Involved in Getting a Dental Implant?
The first step in the process is the development of an individualized
treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a
team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery
and restorative dentistry. This team approach provides coordinated care based
on the implant option that is best for you.
Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is
placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it
grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The
healing process can take from 6 to 12 weeks.
Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post -- called
an abutment -- is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make
your new tooth or teeth, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and
creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and
arrangement). Your new tooth or teeth are based on this model. A replacement
tooth, called a
crown, is then attached to the abutment.
Instead of one or more individual crowns, some patients may have attachments
placed on the implant that retain and support a removable denture.
Your dentist also will match the color of your new teeth to your natural
teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, the replacement teeth
look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth.
Next: How painful are dental implants? »
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