Over 3 million people in the United States already have dental implants, and that number will increase by 500,000 in the coming year. What makes dental implants different? Why do so many dentists recommend them over dentures and bridges? And are they your best option when you have an incomplete smile? To answer these questions, first you need to understand the basics of dental implants. Keep reading below for a brief introduction to dental implants 101.
Definition of Dental Implants
First, what are dental implants? They are simply screwlike posts (normally made out of titanium) that have been inserted into the jawbone. As the surrounding bone tissue heals, it will grow around the implant and eventually join with it. Once that happens, the implant will be able to provide strong, stable support for a crown or another type of replacement tooth.
How They Work
So how do dental implants work? After the first consultation and preparatory procedures, the posts are surgically placed in the jaw. You’ll wait a few months for your jaw to heal, then you’ll receive an abutment, which is a special screw that holds replacement teeth in place. The final step is to place a crown, bridge, or denture on the implant posts. The implants themselves will act as tooth roots while the restoration is what you’ll use to bite, chew, and smile.
The Advantages of Implants
- Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, which can help people with low self-esteem feel more confident about their new smiles.
- The stimulation from the implants will stop the jawbone from receding, which in turn keeps your entire facial structure healthy.
- Since the implant is anchored directly to the jawbone, the teeth attached to it won’t slip. That makes chewing and eating easier, and you can speak without worrying about slurring or mumbling your words.
- Dental implants are permanent and can last as long as your natural teeth.
Does Insurance Cover Implants?
Many insurance companies will not pay for implant surgery. There are some exceptions, but in those cases, implants are likely to be considered a major treatment, so your plan will most likely only pay for around 50% of the cost. Insurance may also help pay for portions of the restoration and related procedures.
Are Implants Right for You?
Dental implants in Lincoln can be used to replace any number of teeth. You must have healthy gums and a strong jawbone before dental implants can be placed. Bone grafts, gum disease therapy, and other procedures are used to help patients who would not be implant candidates otherwise.
Dental implants have truly helped bring tooth replacement into the modern era. To learn more about implants or to start planning your next treatment, get in touch with your dentist today and schedule an initial consultation.
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Reed has been bringing Lincoln Families healthier grins at Smile Specialties since 2002. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry but likes to focus on complex reconstructive, prosthetic, and implant dentistry. She is an active member of the American Prosthodontic Society and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. If you’d like to schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Reed, visit her website or call (402) 488-5007.
