All About Dental Implants
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If you are considering dental implants as an alternative to dentures, a permanent bridge, or a partial plate, here is what you can expect. I've been through the process and I have first hand knowledge on the procedures, the timetable, and the costs.
If you are considering dental implants, you need to talk to your regular dentist. They can refer you to an oral surgeon who is specialized in the placement of dental implants and will be able to asses your situation and see if you are a good candidate. In my case, I needed to have the two lower teeth in the front replaced and they decided a single dental implant that looked like two teeth was probably the best way to go since the space was small and it would not accept two implants.
Consultation
You will meet with the oral surgeon and they will take some x-rays of your jaw. From the x-rays they will be able to determine if you are a candidate for the dental implant procedure or if you should consider other choices. If your situation is good for the implants, the oral surgeon will take impressions of your teeth and ask you to return for the placement of the implant.
The Big DayOn the day that you arrive to receive the dental implants, the oral surgeon will administer a local anesthetic that will numb the area where the implant will be placed. You will then go to an operating room where he will make a small incision in the gum and drill a hole where the implant is placed. The implant itself is a small titanium screw that in time will fuse with the bone of the jaw creating a permanent root that could last a lifetime. After the implant is inserted into your jaw, a healing cap is placed on the top of the implant and the oral surgeon will then close the wound with stitches. You will need to return a couple times for the doctor to check on healing, but from that point on it is just a waiting game. You should expect the wait to be from 4 - 6 months for the implant to fuse with your bone.
The Healing PeriodAfter the swelling has gone down the doctor will probably need to modify your denture so it will fit over the implant. In my case, the denture didn't look very natural so you might have to put up with some bad teeth during the wait. You should be back to normal in a couple weeks, and then you will need to return to the oral surgeon's office in a few months to get an x-ray. The x-ray will let him know how well the bone has bonded to the implant. Once the bonding is sufficient, he will schedule you to have the abutment attached.
Exposing the ImplantWhen the healing process is complete it is time to expose the implant and add the abutment. The abutment is a small metal post that is used as a way to attach a porcelain crown to the implant. The oral surgeon will once again numb the area and then make an incision in the gum above the implant. The healing cap is removed and the abutment is placed on the top of the implant.
Placing the Crown
After a few weeks of healing, you will visit your regular dentist who will take yet another impression of your teeth and will order a new crown that will be placed on the implant. In a couple weeks you will have a brand new tooth that will probably last a lifetime, although my dentist told me officially, they only guarantee 10 years.
The Costs
My dental insurance considers this type of procedure elective and did not cover the implant. I had to pay about $2000 out of pocket for the implant. They did cover half the cost of the crown so I only had to pay $400 for that part of the procedure. I am personally very satisfied with the final result and recommend dental implants as an alternative to dentures if for some reason you find yourself in a similar situation.
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Thanks for the feedback. I hope you never need them either. It's not the most pleasant experience, but looking back now, I'm really glad I went through it.
Anyone familuar with a Buenos Aries Argintina travel medical company called Plenitas?My experience with them (tell you more later) borders on fraud and deception.
Great to know, Hedgeek
I really appreciated finding you and reading this. I have dentures because of soft teeth from birth and often wondered if I could whole mouth implants. You wrote a good article here.
Hi Write Angel, thanks so much for your feedback. The implants are great and they feel so natural I forget I have them sometimes. As far as whole mouth implants go, I know it's possible, but there can be problems placing implants in the upper jaw so only your dentist can tell you for certain if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
It's drastic, but dental health is so important. I've not had implants, but several root canals and crowns. Although it can seem daunting when first faced with it, I was so much better after having it done. Now I don't hesitate at all to go to the dentist.
will aprcieat comments and views on the implant device itself, which brand is best and safest.
thanks
Rami
Hi Rami, I don't have a real preference as to which brand of implant is best. My oral surgeon selected an implant from IMTEC because of it's small size and shape of my jaw. I am very happy with it so far and I have had no problems at all.
There are at least 14 different brands of implant on the market at last count, perhaps we can get others to comment on their experience.
Cheers,
Hedgeek
I have very bad decay, and my dentist says i'm might lose 16 teeth because of it, I was wondering how much it will cost me to get implants.
Hi Hedgeek,
I have a problem and I was hoping you can help, I had two molars missing for some years now and two weeks ago went and did the implant thing, now I have to wait for 3 month.
My Question is that now when I eat foods or when I apply pressure with my tongue to the inside of where the titanium screws are, it hurts and I have pain similar to when a nerve is exposed on your regular teeth, is this normal? will this go away after a few month or should I be worried? what pains did you have 2 weeks post operation?
Thanking you in advance.
Hi Shannon, Sorry for the slow response, I've been away and need to do a little comment catchup...
Wow, you are dealing with some heavy dental issues. I can't tell you exactly what it will cost you, but it's possible depending on where the teeth are that you could get away with 2 - 4 implants and one or two partial plates. That might cost you around $4k - $8k. Keep in mind most dental insurance won't cover implants but they will cover tooth extraction and dentures. If you have insurance try to stretch that out as much as possible and do the work over a longer period. Also you will need dentures anyway for a while so get the insurance to pay (if you have insurance).
Hope this helps,Hedgeek
Hi Shyrah,
Sorry to hear you are having tooth pain. It's been a while since I had my implants, but yes, they do hurt for a while. The implant is screwed into the bone and it will be tender for some time. I took pain pills for a couple weeks after my implants were placed (I think I took Vicodin). The good news is it gets much better and now that I have had my implants for a while they "almost" feel natural. Hang in there, the time passes quickly and soon you will have a normal mouth and you will be able to chew like a champ!
Cheers,Hedgeek
Good article! Dental implants can be brutal, very painful, and very expensive ($1,200 to $2,800 a pop). Recovery time from start to finish can be from 12 weeks to 3 years- you cannot bite, but you can chew, regardless of how invincible all the valium and vicodin can make you feel while you are on that buzz to normaldom. When one has one or more teeth "replaced" on the lower jaw, implants are the way to go. Reason? It's the lower jaw that loses bone mass the quickest -- before you know it, your chin will meet the end of your nose and you will resemble Mammy Yokum.
The old addages/wives' tales, "brush your teeth!", "take care of your teeth (origianal equipment) and they will take care of you" do not apply in this day and age, so, you've got to check out the market before you make decisions. I got lucky, and, I hope anyone and everyone who is faced with the decison to implant or not to implant has no less luck and good fortune than I have enjoyed after my first 3 years of hell.
~Nan
Thanks much for your thoughtful comments Nan, I agree it is a long process, but I am glad I went through it and we both have much better smiles :-D
-Hedgeek
Hi it has been a few days since i have had my implant put in. The site is not sore, however i needed gum grafting and that has been painful - along with the fact that i cannot speak properly - with or without my dentures. (i have lost my front tooth) Ihad my tooth extracted out and the implant placed on the same day. I have been reading mixed reviews about this. Is it recommended to have a dental implant staight after the extraction or does it depend on the individual?
My dentist suggested having the implant done riight away if possible. He said that the main reason was that as soon as a tooth is remvoed there is shrinkage and getting something there to hold he gums is important. That is why they have you wear a denture right away. For me, there was an infection under the root so I had to wait for that to clear up before I could get the implant, but your mileaage may vary.
Hope this helps!
-Hedgeek
I had a dental implant with a bone graft on my eye tooth { incision placed for bone in my right lower roof of my mouth 11 days ago ) I already had a false tooth there for 15 years. I never realised the pain and discomfort associated with this procedure. I am due to get the stitches out in 4 days time and am counting the hours.
i have done everything by the book and my question is; is it normal to feel pain in the roof where the incision was made and how long will the healing process be? By the way I have no infection in the area
I had three dental implants and one tooth extraction and bone grafting all in one day . I have exprience no pain, It's been about three weeks now since i've had surgery, it depends on where you had your implants placed if it was near the sinus then thats can be painful. Best of luck with your healing and sorry to hear it was painful.
Hii hedgeek
A real thanks for your great post. Its very helpful and informative. I totally agree NJoG Maa'm. Dental implant can be a bit expensive and painful also.I did a survey of dental implants that Dentures attached to mini dental implants (immediate function):$4,000 - $8,000 per arch. Keep up the good work and provide us with more such best stuff even in the future.
@Murm - Sorry to hear you had a rough time of it. It is normal to have some pain. As I recall my jaw was very sore for weeks after the procedure. Hopefully are on the mend and enjoying you new implants without complication (fingers crossed).
@JC - Ouch! Hope you are doing well also.
Yes i am agree with you.A good dentist is that which have complete knowledge about oral health.The one major thing we have to consider is that their work experience.
hi i was interested is it possible to have a sedation while placing abutments and crowns onto the implants,i am going to a doctor next week for the last step and i heard it is painful to place abutments and crowns onto the implants,doctor said he will inject into jaw but i worry it will not be enough.....thank you
- Hegeek
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Ralph Deeds Level 6 Commenter 5 years ago
Informative. Hope I never need an implant, but it's good to know that they can be successful. They sound like they would be preferable to a plate or dentures. Thanks for the info.