Dental Implant

Questions

A dental implant is a sterile screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth. It is made of titanium and osseointegrates (fuses) to the surrounding bone and acts like a root to hold an implant crown.

Dental implants may cost anywhere in the range of $1500–$3500 per implant and depends on the implant type and the surgeon’s expertise with the procedure. Other procedures which are not included in this cost may be a CT scan, tooth extraction, possible bone grafting, abutment, and implant crown. These services are often associated with a dental implant procedure. Outlined below is a range of fees for additional procedures:

• CT Scan: $250–600, depending on the volume and quantity
• Extraction: $200–1200 per tooth
• Bone Grafting and Membrane: $300–2000 (depends on the size of the site)
• Abutment: $350–1250 per implant
• Implant Crown: $850–3500 per replacement tooth

Dental implants are made of titanium. This material is biocompatible and allows the bone to fuse with the implant by a process called osseointegration.

The initial healing phase for dental implants usually takes 10–14 days. However, the bone healing takes 6 to 8 weeks. Please keep in mind that maximum bone strenght requires approximately 18 months to complete osseointegration.

Yes, but very rarely. In most cases, when implants fail, an underlying medical condition or infection of the implant site is usually the cause. Once the cause of failure is determined, a replacement implant may be placed in the same site with success. If an implant fails after it has been restored with a crown, it may mean that the implant was overloaded with biting forces.

The placement of dental implants does not hurt in most instances and the patient may go back to work the same day or the day after the surgery. Refraining from strenuous exercise for 5 days after the procedure is recommended. Usually, tooth extractions are often more uncomfortable than implant placement surgeries.

An abutment is an additional component that connects the dental implant to an implant crown. The abutment is the post that holds the crown. It is similar to when your natural tooth is shaved down to hold a crown. The abutment is often made out of a biocompatible material (titanium or zirconia) in order to reduce inflammation and to keep the tissues around the implant healthy.

Implants are made of materials like titanium which are expensive to manufacture. Additionally, dental implants are manufactured under very strict guidelines and need to be sterile in order to be used in humans. They require FDA approval, which requires extensive and ongoing research and documentation. Doctors who perform these procedures need additional training and experience to properly perform these treatments. Finally, the instrumentation, clinical setup, and components used in these procedures are costly.

Dental implant treatment can be performed by any licensed dentist. Nonetheless, it is recommended that patients choose dentists with postgraduate specialty training such as prosthodontists, periodontists and oral surgery as they are better prepared to address this complex therapy, especially, the more complicated cases. A great deal of cross-training exists and it really depends on the specialists’ experience with implants. Postgraduate training and specialty board certification are important additional qualifications when selecting a doctor.

Are you ready to restore your smile with dental implants? Call us today at 450-500-0211 to schedule an appointment to discover more about our implant options and find the right fit for your needs.