Before the 1950s, dental bridgeway was the standard option among dentists in carrying out tooth restoration. However, in 1952 there was a paradigm shift to dental implants when Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark made a breakthrough on replacing missing teeth using dental implant procedure. Since then, dental implants have been considered the best standard of care for a prosthetic replacement for missing teeth.
According to various medical research, dental implants made from titanium can easily integrate into the body without being recognized as a foreign object within our body system. Also, advancement in science and technology has mainly contributed to the success of dental implant placement.
Procedures for carrying out dental implant
The dental implant procedure is not open to just anyone. So, you can’t just drive yourself down to the dental clinic and ask a surgeon to carry out the operation. To carry out the surgical procedure, the surgeon will need to conduct a comprehensive test on the patient. Then, through the report from the assessment, they will determine whether the patient is eligible for the dental implant or not.
Although there are other tooth restoration processes such as bridgework and dentures, the dental implant remains the best tooth restorative option:
- Dental implants can easily integrate into the bone structure and can look like a natural tooth.
- With a dental implant, a missing tooth can be easily replaced without affecting other teeth.
Types of dental implants
Dental implants are of two major types, namely endosteal and subperiosteal.
- Endosteal
Endosteal is a dental implant procedure carried out inside the bone. The procedure’s success rate has made it a darling of most dentists, and it is highly recommended for carrying out tooth restoration.
- Subperiosteal
Subperiosteal is a type of dental implant carried out on top jawbone. However, dentists no longer recommend a subperiosteal implant for tooth restoration because of its poor long-term results and subsequent side effects.
Problems mostly associated with dental implants
Before undergoing a dental implant, you must know that your chance of having a successful surgery is higher than other tooth restoration methods. However, like other types of surgery, a dental implant also has its share of risks. Here are some risks usually associated with dental implant surgery.
- Patients who undergo dental implant may experience a bleeding disorder
- There may be infections with the area the implant was carried out
- Fracture of dental implant
- The patient may experience minor bleeding post-surgery
- There may be damage to the surrounding area, especially blood vessels, nerves, and teeth
Cost of dental implant
There is no general cost for carrying out dental implants. What will determine the price will be based on region and dental facilities for executing the operation. Nevertheless, reports indicate the cost falls within the range of $3,250 to $4,750 per tooth. The fee also covers medical expenses for surgery for the implant performed by a dentist with experience in dental implant surgery, implant crown, and treating of other areas that relate to the surgery.
Final thought
If your country offers a viable health insurance plan, you can explore this to reduce the fee associated with getting dental implants. With this, you can take care of any tooth problems easily.