What is the Dental Implant Process?

While it would be nice to go our entire lives with the same adult teeth, there are circumstances that occur that lead to a tooth needing to be replaced. You may accidently have a tooth or teeth knocked out, a tooth may fall out or you may need to have one or more teeth removed. With any of these circumstances, you may want to consider a dental implant.

What Are Implants?

Dental implants are essentially replacement teeth that involve a process in which the tooth is actually installed into your jaw. Unlike dental bridges or dentures, with an implant you have a tooth or teeth that are secured into place through a new “root”—which is a titanium piece that holds the new tooth in place.

On top of the rod is an abutment, which serves to hold the new tooth in place.

Why You Should Consider Implants

Many people believe that a lost tooth is no big deal. Instead, they decide to live with the gap. This is huge mistakes! Not only are missing teeth aesthetically displeasing, but they are also dangerous for your remaining teeth and your oral health overall. When you neglect to replace a missing tooth, you open yourself up to:

• Tooth Migration
• Jawbone Damage
• Difficulty Ensuring Proper Oral Hygiene
• Difficulty Chewing

Implants will help to:

• Keep the Rest of Your Teeth in Place
• Boost Your Self-Esteem
• Help Ensure Better Oral Health
• Improve Chewing and Bite

The Cost of Dental Implants

While dental implants may be necessary in some cases, price may be a concern for many patients. While dental implants are often more affordable than other options, they can still cost somewhere between $3,000-$4,500. Insurance may help to offset this cost, but not all insurance companies cover this procedure. It’s important to discuss the procedure with your dental insurance provider to see what your options are.

Even with the cost seeming high, it’s also important to consider the costs that may be involved when you choose not to have the procedure done. With all of the damage that a missing tooth can cause, it’s easy to see that having the implant installed may actually save you money in the long run.

The Installation Procedure

The procedure itself takes multiple sessions, and often five or six months to complete. The first step is meeting with a specialist for a consultation. You’ll want to make sure to schedule an appointment with a dentist that is knowledgeable about implants, and/or is capable of performing the procedure. If they are not capable, see if they can refer you to a dentist that is. You will then have a titanium rod installed into your jawbone. From there, a few months will be necessary for recovery. Once the rod has integrated with your jawbone, the abutment is added. From there, your crown is attached to the abutment. The procedure may take some time, but it is well worth the effort. Once it is completed, you will have a new tooth that will help to ensure proper oral health, improve your bite and look
aesthetically pleasing.

Contact Meadowdale Dental Clinic

We offer a variety of Preventative, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dental Procedures including Dental Implants focusing on long term relationships built on trust. Contact Meadowdale Dental today at (425) 742-9609 or contact us via our contact form.

Interested in learning more about dental implants? Here's more information about the benefits of dental implants.