Dental Implants: A step by step guide

We are thrilled to be offering dental implants to our patients. Below is a quick rundown of what a dental implant is, how long it takes, what it can provide you, and approximately what one costs.

What is a Dental Implant

A dental implant is a titanium fixture that's placed in the jaw to replace a missing tooth. Think of the implant like the root of a tooth; it's the anchor or foundation on which a dental crown or denture can be placed to keep it nice and stable.

Dental implant that's placed into the jaw and the implant crown that connects to it

Implants used to anchor a lower denture

How Long does it take to use an Implant

Dental implants can either be placed during tooth removable or after an extraction site has healed. Typically, an implant will take 4-6 months to settle into the bone before it's strong enough to be used as an anchor. During this healing time, there are a couple different options to place a temporary tooth or denture in the space to allow you to eat and smile without a space. After the implant has fully settled, your dentist will attach your crown/denture to the implant.

What an Implant can do for you

Replacing a missing tooth with an implant has several benefits:

It gives you another tooth to chew on and support your bite. I often compare the mouth to a Jenga block tower. The more teeth or blocks you are missing, the more unstable the tower becomes. Remaining teeth will wear down faster and chip more easily if their neighbors are missing.

Most obviously, your smile will look better by eliminating gaps. Implants are one of the most comfortable options to replace missing teeth because they mimic the form of natural teeth by coming right out of the jawbone. And because implants are placed in the jaw, they help to prevent the bone shrinkage that arises when teeth are missing.

For dentures, especially lower dentures, implants make a tremendous difference. Dentures are pieces of acrylic that sit in the mouth. They depend on compressing soft tissue or engaging undercuts for their retention, which is limited. By being able to attach the dentures to an anchor fixed in bone, the retention and chewing force skyrocket. One study shows denture satisfaction rising from just 13 to over 90% with the addition of implants.

How Much do Implants Cost?

Without insurance, an implant to replace a single missing tooth will cost about $4000. An implant retained lower denture with 2 implants will cost about $8000. The main thing to think about when investing in dental implants is the long term value. Implants can last over 20 years and not only improve quality of life everyday, but also help prevent other teeth from breaking or shifting.

If you're interested in dental implants of have a question, give us a call 207-924-7061 or email whitepinedentist@gmail.com for a consultation!