Dental work, whether essential or optional, can be expensive. From emergency root canals to at-home teeth whitening, looking after your oral health is extremely important and therefore worth investing in. Dental implants are practical for anyone with one or more missing teeth, but are also known to restore a lot of confidence in patients who have hidden behind their less-than-perfect smiles. This minor surgical procedure is considered as one of the most expensive treatments available, but rest assured, there are many reasons why. Practicality, reliability and appearance are amongst the many reasons to get surgical implants, but the real question is, are they worth the money? And are they right for you?
How do they work?
Tooth replacement implants are metal frames or posts that are surgically attached to the jawbone. Artificial teeth can then be mounted onto these pillars to create the illusion of healthy, natural teeth. Generally, they are made from titanium because the body registers it as natural tissue and grows bone tissue and blood vessels around the implant, helping to keep it in place.
Are there different types of implants?
Implants can be used to replace anything from a single tooth to an entire set of teeth. In most cases, the jawbone beneath your gums is used as a frame and metal posts are attached to it. This creates a firm support system for artificial teeth to be attached to, unlike conventional bridges and dentures which are simply slipped over the gums.
Endosteal implants are surgically fused directly into the jawbone, and provide a solid structure for artificial teeth to be attached to. Similarly, subperiosteal implants are metal frames that are attached to the jawbone, just below the gum tissue. Posts are then attached to the frame and will protrude through the gums, creating a stable shelf for teeth to be mounted on. To qualify for either of these methods, dentists would require that a patient has a sufficient amount of jawbone and plenty of healthy gum tissue. Without either, experts would then use the cheekbone as the foundation for a patient’s new teeth.
What are the benefits?
Surgical implants are often described as extremely comfortable, because they are not attached to existing teeth for stability. Drilling into the jawbone may sound scary, but it allows for a stronger and more reliable structure that will help maintain the quality of your new teeth. Plus, by being fused to the jawbone, all movement is restricted, even when eating. So long as patients are willing to cut back or quit smoking, manage their type 2 diabetes properly (if applicable) and regularly maintain their new teeth, implants have been known to last for decades, which for some patients will be almost a lifetime.
They are costly, but can you really put a price on the perfect smile? The price tag may seem daunting at first, but surgical implants are a reliable lifetime investment that shouldn’t disappoint, providing you take the necessary care of them. Are they worth the money? We would certainly say so, but you’ll just have to find out for yourself, won’t you? Book your own appointment to receive the undoubted benefits of this procedure.
