Dental implants are one of the most common procedures performed within cosmetic dentistry. However, unless you are a cosmetic dentist or have implants yourself, you probably don’t even know what they are.
So What Exactly are Dental Implants?
The simplest explanation is that dental implants are replacement tooth roots. When you have lost a natural tooth and it’s root, you need a dental implant to act as the new foundation or root for the replacement tooth.
Advantages of Dental Implants
There are many Direct and Indirect Advantages of Dental Implants such as:
- Improved Appearance – Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
- Improved Speech – With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your teeth might slip.
- Improved Comfort – Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
- Easier Eating – Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
- Improved Self-Esteem – Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
- Improved Oral Health – Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
- Durability – Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
- Convenience – Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
Who can get Dental Implants?
Basically, anyone who is of decent enough health to under go a routine tooth extraction or oral surgery is healthy enough for a dental implant. However, you should have healthy enough gums and bones around your jaw area in order to be able to hold the implants in place once implanted. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or any other chronic medical condition, then you will want to check with your dentist to see if dental implants are right for you.
Dental Insurance Coverage and Cost
In general, dental implants are not covered by most dental insurance providers. However, some plans may cover them but you would need to speak with your carrier to figure that out definitively. If your insurance carrier doesn’t accept implants as being covered, then don’t worry because we provide in house dental financing options for just these types of situations.
If you think that you may need dental implants then contact us today to schedule a consultation to see if they are right for you.
