Do you have cracked, chipped, or missing teeth? Are you wondering if dental implants are for you?
Believe it or not, the right dental implant doctor can have you smiling like a pro and feeling great about your appearance. Yet what are dental implants, and are they right for you?
Here are some of our favorite dental implant tips.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace your natural tooth roots with screwlike posts. These are then attached to crowns that look and function like regular teeth.
When natural tooth roots can’t support bridgework or dentures, dental implants can offer a wonderful alternative. If you have a healthy jawbone and are in otherwise good dental health, you could be a good candidate. It’s also a nice option for those who don’t want to wear dentures.
When preparing you for dental implants, your dentist will start by giving you a complete oral examination. They will take X-rays and images that will be used to create a model of your teeth and jaw.
The entire process takes several visits, depending on the unique needs of your bite. These include removal of the damaged tooth and jawbone preparation.
Once your implant is placed in the jaw, you may require a healing period of four to six weeks. After that, you will receive an abutment, and finally an artificial tooth.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
Many people choose dental implants because they find them to be a good investment of their time and money.
One of the main benefits of implants is that they look, feel, and act like your natural teeth. So no one needs to know you’re wearing them. And, after your mouth is done healing, you can eat all of your favorite foods without worry.
In addition, dental implants are sturdy and can last a lifetime. This is where many prefer them over cosmetic dentistry options such as crowns, bridges, or veneers. Once you have completed your dental implant treatment, you may never need to worry about them again.
With options like dentures, you often need to worry about them slipping. This can make your speech awkward. Implants, however, can help improve your speaking.
In addition, dentures require separate cleaning. With implants, however, no additional maintenance is necessary. You simply brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly as you would with your regular set of chompers.
In addition, implants can improve your overall oral health. The natural teeth around an empty socket are often exposed to bacteria that could lead to decay. This could lead to inflamed tissue and even gum disease.
With implants, however, gaps in your teeth will be protected. In addition, you can protect your teeth against further bone loss.
Are Dental Implants Affordable?
On average, dental implants can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $4,500 per tooth. The actual cost to you will depend upon a number of factors. These include your geographical location, your dentist’s experience, and the materials used.
If you have dental insurance, it may cover at least some of the cost of dental implants. Before choosing a dentist, it’s important to call up your customer service representative and find out how much of the treatment they will cover.
If you don’t have dental, or if your insurance company will only cover some of the cost, talk to your dentist about a payment plan. These allow you to pay the treatment off a little each month so it fits nicely into your budget.
Your dentist may also offer discounts for paying the entire treatment off in full upfront. They may also offer other discounts or incentives, so find out about your options before making a decision.
In addition, your employer may offer a Health Savings Plan (HSA.) These allow you to put aside a certain amount of tax-sheltered money each month that can be used for cosmetic dentistry. You can also use the money to pay for things like vision care and co-pays.
If your employer doesn’t have an HSA available, ask about a Flexible Spending Account (FSA.) Like an FSA, it will allow you to keep more of what you earn by sheltering it from taxes before you use it to pay for health expenses.
Unlike an HSA, however, an FSA is owned by your employer rather than yourself. With an HSA, you can roll over any unused funds from year to year.
How Can You Find a Cosmetic Dentist?
It’s important to find a local cosmetic dentist as you’ll need to return more than once for dental implants. Social media community groups are a great place to begin your search. Ask who has gotten dental implants in the area with a dentist they were happy with.
Of course, you’ll want to find out whether or not the dentist takes your insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask other questions as well.
Was the dentist knowledgeable and professional? Were they happy with the way the implants turned out? Were there any unexpected costs along the way?
Online reviews are another great way to find out what former clients are saying. If you see a number of similar positive comments that repeat themselves, you’re probably going to have a good experience.
Smiling On
What are dental implants? In short, they are natural-looking teeth that can last you a lifetime if you care for them properly. With the right dentist and the right treatment plan, you could be on your way to a great-looking smile in no time.
Don’t stop getting smart about dental implants now. For professional cosmetic dental services in your area, contact us today.