The Truth About Dental Implants: 

By: Arthur Glosman DDS

Any number of reasons can lead to a person missing a tooth. Congenital defect, trauma, poor oral hygiene, even normal use can eventually wear a tooth down to where it falls out. When any one or combination or these problems exists it can present a person with the issues that come when a tooth is absent, issues like a change in your occlusion (bite), increased chance of periodontal disease and surrounding tooth decay, and even a decreased sense of self esteem and confidence brought on by a decreased willingness to smile in public. With reasons like these, it’s obvious why anyone would want to do something to replace their missing tooth, but the question arises: what is the best way to achieve this? The answer, when possible, is dental implant.

What Makes Dental Implants the Premiere Choice? 

A dental implant is the most strong, enduring, natural looking and feeling tooth replacement option available today. The implant generally consists of a titanium based screw that is surgically attached to your jaw then covered by a porcelain crown, custom built and designed to replace whatever tooth was missing and match the rest of the teeth in your smile perfectly. Also, dental implants display one of the highest success rates as far as dental procedures go. This is not to say failures don’t occur and that things cannot go wrong, but the percentage of failed dental implants is relatively low and as long as they are cared for properly with good oral hygiene, it should last as long as and feel just like a real tooth.  

Candidacy: Will I Be Able to Get a Dental Implant?

There are concerns to be addressed before an implant can be placed, which is why it is important that you always defer to your dentist’s advice when seeking to have the procedure done. Certain medical conditions (cancer and diabetes for instance) will prevent dental implant surgery from being done immediately, though after treatment it may become possible. Smokers should be wary as smoking increases the risk of implant failure, and if they truly want the procedure done and to succeed they should heavily consider quitting smoking prior. Also, if there is significant bone decay or periodontal disease, these too may make it impossible for dental implants to be performed. Your dentist can advise you best about options to make implants possible in these situations. 

The Right Dentist for the Job

It is important to note that the training to perform implants is offered by a diverse number of private organizations and can be finished in a weekend’s time. This in mind, always be sure to check your dentist’s implant training and experience level prior to your procedure. Also important is your dentist’s artistic ability, because this will affect the final look of the tooth you have replaced. A good cosmetic dentist will leave you with a replacement that is undistinguishable from the original, so always ask to see pictures of patients on whom he/she has performed the procedure before. By doing your homework beforehand, you won’t be disappointed with the end result.

The Procedure

To place an implant, your dentist will start by drilling a pilot hole into your jaw, followed by placing the implant screw and covering it with a protective cap. At this time, the implant site is given time to sufficiently heal and osseointegrate with the jawbone. This period of osseointegration typically takes three to six months, at the end of which a temporary crown will be placed to help properly shape the gums around it. Finally, your permanent porcelain crown is placed and the process is complete. 

Cost

Despite the obvious benefits to using a dental implant over the other available missing tooth replacement methods, what it may come down to for your average person, an otherwise perfect candidate in all ways, is cost. The truth is, many factors will affect the cost of your dental implant from the dentist you go to, to the area (tooth) being worked on, to level and type of dental insurance you have. An average approximation, based on said aspects, would be between $2,000 and $5,000 a tooth. But if feasible, dental implants are the way to go in order to achieve the realest and most well functioning permanent replacement tooth.

Dr. Glosman DDS is a practicing aesthetic and reconstructive dentist located in Beverly Hills California. You can read more about him in the Summer 2009 Cosmetic Dentist Review at Dr Arthur Glosman Featured Cosmetic Dentist Review or visit his website at www.arthurglosmandds.com

by Dr. A.G.