How to Maintain Dental Implants the Right Way

Dr. Kevin Hogan • March 21, 2016

Top Reasons You Might Need Dental Implants ?

Most people see a missing tooth as a cosmetic problem, especially when it is in a prominent or noticeable position. However, even when gaps are less noticeable,they can negatively impact your oral health.

Dental implants are the preferred choice in many situations because of their longevity and ability to create a new artificial tooth that looks and feels like your natural teeth. Beyond the cosmetic benefits, here are a few of the primary benefits of dental implants:

Restoring your smile
The ability to eat comfortably
You can speak with confidence
Can last the remainder of your life
Supports remaining teeth
Can improve your oral health

Aside from the obvious cosmetic benefits, dental implants provide numerous other benefits that deliver a lifetime of increased function and lower maintenance as compared to dentures.

How Dental Implants Differ from Your Natural Teeth

Dental implants are often the preferred solution because they look and feel like your natural teeth. They look so real others often cannot tell the difference between the natural teeth and the implant.

Despite their similar appearance, implants have different cleaning needs. Receiving an implant involves inserting a titanium post into the jawbone to serve as the new artificial root. Once it fuses with the bone, Dr. Hogan attaches an abutment, connecting the post to the new tooth (crown), holding it firmly in place.

Although the jawbone fuses with the titanium post, it attaches to the gums and bone differently from your natural teeth. It does not connect to the bony socket like biological roots, making it more prone to infection.

Due to these differences, the hygienist must use tools made from resins or plastic to clean the tooth rather than traditional metal instruments. This unique process prevents damage to the crown. Even minor scratches on the artificial tooth can allow bacteria to grow and lead to infection.

After the dental implant procedure , it is vital to properly care for your teeth, regularly visit your dentist, and receive bi-annual cleanings. The proper care and maintenance of dental implants is critical to ensuring they last a lifetime.

FAQs

Will my dentist put me to sleep for my dental implant procedure?

In most cases, the dentist will use local anesthesia, but Dr. Hogan offers sedation under the direction of an anesthesiologist for those who have a low pain tolerance or prefer to undergo the procedure under a light general anesthetic.
Are Dental Implants as Strong as Real Teeth?

Advances in dental implants, and the components and materials used in dental implants, continue to improve the strength and durability of this popular tooth replacement option. In general, the bite strength of a dental implant is roughly 80-90% of the strength of your natural teeth, allowing patients to the return of their normal biting and chewing function.
How much does a single dental implant cost in 2022?

The cost of a single dental implant can range from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on several different factors. The price of the dental implant includes the surgical and anesthesia costs, the implant post, a custom abutment, a porcelain implant crown, and all dental lab costs.
Does insurance cover the cost of dental implants?

Dental implants are considered an elective, cosmetic dental procedure, and therefore, are not covered under most dental or medical insurance plans. However, some dental plans may cover some portion of the procedure such as a tooth extraction or a portion of the cost of a dental bridge when an implant is used to support the bridge.
Are dental implants worth it?

Dental implants provide more than just an aesthetic outcome from tooth loss. Dental implants support the adjacent teeth, supporting a healthy bite. Implants also decrease bone loss, preserving the underlying jawbone and further preserving facial aesthetics.