Effective Tooth Loss Solutions - The Dental Implant

There are two well-known, cost-effective methods of solving the issue of tooth loss. The most common form of tooth loss restoration in the world is the creation and implementation of dentures. However, dentures are imperfect solutions that lack permanence. They can slip around inside the mouth, need to be removed routinely to be cleaned, or removed when you wish to sleep. A better solution to the problem of tooth loss is the dental implant.

Read on to learn more about dental implants and their usefulness as a tooth loss solution:

What are Dental Implants?

The implantation procedure is a popular method of dealing with tooth loss that began in the ancient world. Dental implants were first used successfully by the Mayan people. The records indicate that they were performing primitive dental implants as early as 600 AD They would implant pieces of gemstone, bone, or shells into the jawbone of someone missing teeth. The jawbone would fuse with these materials and they could be used like teeth.

Essentially, dental implants are a type of artificial tooth that is placed into the socket of a tooth that has been lost or badly damaged. Implants are designed to mimic the look and function of a real tooth. The type of implant that is utilized most frequently is known as the endosteal implant.

This implant is the type that the Mayans attempted to develop, but modern medicine would not make a high-rate of success possible until 1965. Gosta Larsson, the first modern endosteal implant recipient, still had intact implants forty years later.

The artificial tooth that is implanted during the endosteal implant process will usually be installed as three separate components. These components are the crown, abutment, and base. The crown is the portion of the tooth that will be visible to casual observers. The abutment is used to connect the crown to the base. This allows for easy replacement of the crown if it becomes damaged. The base is a component that looks like a screw. It is embedded within the jawbone and will fuse with the bone. It takes the place of the root.

Costs and Effectiveness

The dental implant is a cost effective procedure. The dental implant procedure will typically cost more than having dentures created, but the costs of the procedure are offset by the length of time that the implant can remain viable. A high-grade implant that is performed expertly can last for decades, even an entire lifetime.

The average success rate of the procedure is 95+% after five years. The average cost for dental implants in America is $4250. The general pricing for the procedure is highly variable and can range from $1500 to $10000 depending on location and the materials used.

Dental implants do not need to be removed. They can be maintained in the same manner as natural teeth. The dentist will check the implant during standard dental check-ups, but beyond that you do not need to make any concessions. Dentures, however, need to be removed and even replaced on a regular basis.