Dental Implants — A Simple And Effective Tooth Loss Solution
Dental implant procedures have been an important part of dentistry for decades. The processes involved have their roots in the ancient world. The Mayans were known to perform primitive, but effective, dental implant dentistry as far back as 600 AD. Modern dental implants employ materials that fuse with the jawbone to a greater degree and can be expected to last for decades, if not an entire lifetime.
What Happens During a Dental Implant?
The dental implant process can take several forms. The most common form is known as the endosteal implant. The first modern endosteal implant was placed in 1965. The recipient Gosta Larsson died forty years later, yet the original implant was still fully functional.
The endosteal implant operates as a dental prosthetic that takes the place of a real tooth. The prosthetic is typically implanted in three separate stages utilizing three specific components that are vital parts of the artificial tooth. The components are known as the base, the abutment, and the crown. Each of these components can be made of different materials, but the most common materials used are titanium, porcelain, and zirconium. The endosteal implant components are installed in the following manner:
- The Base During the first stage of the dental implant process, a local anesthetic will be injected into the implant location. Once the area has been numbed appropriately, the dentist will cut the gums and implant an object shaped like either a screw, a cylinder, or a blade into the jawbone. This component is typically made of zirconium or titanium. It is designed to fuse with the jawbone over a period of a few months.
- The Abutment After the healing period of a few months has passed, the second stage of the operation will be performed. In this sage the gums will be cut once more and a device shaped like a cone or rod will be installed. This device is also usually made of titanium or zirconium. It is used to connect the base to the crown. In some implant devices it will be combined with the base as a single unit. If the implant is a combined unit, the second stage will be skipped.
- The Crown The final stage of the endosteal implant process is the simplest. There is no surgery involved. Once the gums have healed, the dentist will install the crown. The crown is the most versatile component of the implant. It can come in a variety of materials. The common materials include titanium, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and zirconium. However, solid gold or porcelain crowns are also used. Some people will also choose to have acrylic or stainless steel crowns installed to lower the overall cost of the procedure.
The dental implant process costs between $1500 to $10000 for a single tooth depending on the extra services required. However, the average cost for high-end implants made of porcelain or zirconium will be approximately $4250. Due to the durability and permanency of implants they are considered a good alternative to traditional dentures despite the cost. The endosteal implant has a 95% success rate after five years and that it can last for decades with proper dental check-ups. Implants do not need to be removed and can be cleaned and maintained in the same manner as natural teeth. Talk to your dentist, one like Dental Associates PC, for more information.