A Guide to Dental Implants

For many people, the worst dental procedure they might experience is a filling or even a crown. For others, though, they may be facing more extensive work. Facing tooth loss isn’t just an inconvenience, it has an impact on how people eat, speak and how they view themselves. Trying to smile with missing teeth isn’t the look most people are going for. There are options to tooth loss and your local Santa Fe family dentistry service can help you make decisions if you are facing or want to correct tooth loss. For those who’ve wondered about dental implants as a way to combat tooth loss, read on for more information:

• Dental implants are used to replace one or multiple teeth. When teeth are too damaged and need to be pulled there are different replacement options. Many times, a bridge will suffice and take care of the gap in the teeth, but often, with multiple missing teeth a more permanent option is needed; like dental implants.
• It starts with implanting a post into the jawbone. While this sounds incredibly painful, it actually isn’t too bad. Most people report their jaw feeling a little sore and tender and use over the counter pain medication like ibuprofen to battle discomfort. The jawbone will grow new bone around the post, usually taking three to six months to completely heal.
• A crown is added to the top of the post. The new crown functions like the missing tooth, with exact bite match and strength. Eat, chew, brush and floss just like you do with your normal teeth. The crown is durable, and the implant will last a lifetime with proper care.
• Beware of the price. While dental implants are becoming a popular option for many people facing tooth loss, it still isn’t fully covered by many dental insurance plans. With a single implant costing between $1000 to $3000 dollars, this option might not be feasible for many people. Checking with insurance will let you know if it will be covered or not. You can also check with your dentist and see if there is a financing plan available for implants.

Losing teeth is never the ideal. Thanks to dental implants, those lost teeth and gaps can be fixed. Contact your dentist to see if dental implants are the right option for you.