Dental Implant Years After Extraction
Dental Implant Years After Extraction?
Dental implants are considered one of the best ways to replace a tooth that has been extracted or otherwise lost. In order for a patient to be considered a candidate for dental implants, they have to have sufficient bone structure and healthy gum tissue. If a patient is otherwise healthy but does not have the bone structure required to support a dental implant, they may be able to receive a bone graft before implant placement.
An Oral Surgeon or Periodontist is the dental professional that will need to place a dental implant. If you have had an extraction or lost a tooth and a number of years have passed, you may still be able to receive a dental implant! The dental specialist will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants after an evaluation of your existing teeth and bone structure. Dental implants do require an extensive amount of healing time which can take up to six months and if you need a bone graft first, that will need to heal before the implant can be placed, tacking on an additional few months to your overall healing.
How are dental implants placed?
To begin, your doctor will administer a local anesthetic to the area being treated before making a small incision in the gum tissue and drilling a small hole in the jawbone. The titanium implant is then placed in the bone and the gum tissue is sutured around the post. A small portion of the implant will extend beyond the gum tissue to allow placement of the dental prosthesis. The doctor will place a healing cap on the implant to protect it from damage and infection while you heal and the implant integrates with the bone.
After you are healed and the implant is fully integrated, your general dentist will place your implant prosthesis. This can be an individual crown to replace one tooth or even an implant-supported bridge to replace a full arch of teeth.
How strong are dental implants?
Dental implants are most often fabricated using titanium which is a metal that is often used with a number of medical prosthesis such as artificial joints because it is highly compatible with the human body. The biocompatibility of titanium dental implants provides a perfect environment for the osseointegration that is necessary for implant to bone fusion. This fusion is what provides the stable foundation for implant support. The dental prosthesis that is placed on the implant is most often made using porcelain, which is incredibly strong and durable and an excellent replacement for natural teeth.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants have a very high success rate at about 95% to 97%. With proper care and maintenance and regular visits to your Dentist as well as annual visits to your implant doctor, your implant can easily last a lifetime. Dental implants are one of the more expensive treatment options to replace missing teeth but their longevity can often make them more cost-effective in the long run. For one tooth, the implant and dental prosthesis can cost up to $3000 and a full arch of implant-supported dentures can cost up to $30,000.
Dental insurance often covers some portion of a dental implant and your doctors may offer in-house financing or work through a third-party financing company they can help ease the out-of-pocket cost of treatment. If you are interested in dental implants, speak with your Dentist to see if you are a candidate even if you have been missing teeth for a number of years.