The goal of modern dentistry is to restore the patient to normal contour, function, comfort, esthetics, speech, and health, whether restoring teeth with caries or replacing an entirely missing tooth. This makes implant dentistry unique as it enables one to achieve these goals. But what is a dental implant, and how does this work? Is it an affordable option, or will it burn a hole in your pocket? Let’s discuss the implants in detail in this article. WHAT IS AN IMPLANT? An implant is an artificial root that replaces the missing tooth and holds the artificial crown in place to make it function like a natural tooth. Implants are made of titanium material that has the unique ability to mix with bone. As time progresses, the implant becomes harder as the bone grows around it, making it function like a natural tooth. What can be closer than this to replace a missing natural tooth? SINGLE TOOTH LOSS Adult patients often have one or more crowns as a consequence of previous large restorations required to repair the integrity of crowns. The average lifespan of a well-made crown is 10 years. The patient needs to get the crown replaced after that time, and if the underlying natural tooth structure is already damaged by then due to marginal leakage, it should be extracted. Patients’ socioeconomic conditions also lead them to opt for extraction rather than spending hundreds of dollars over a crown. This led to many adults losing their teeth at the prime of their life. Though placing a fixed dental bridge is an existing option, it requires the preparation of healthy teeth next to the missing tooth. All these led to the introduction of implants into dentistry.

MULTIPLE TEETH LOSS Implants can also be used in the replacement of teeth in completely edentulous patients by means of full mouth implants where 5-6 implants are placed in the maxilla and 7-8 implants are placed in the mandible to give a fixed or removable prosthesis. The development of new concepts like all on 4 and implant retained dentures lead to the usage of fewer implants, thereby making it affordable for all to receive the treatment. ADVANTAGES OF IMPLANTS Esthetics: ● An implant allows replacement of only the missing teeth ● Adjacent natural and healthy teeth can be spared ● The patient’s natural facial contour and esthetics can be maintained Functionality: ● Bone growth around implants makes it stronger and prevents the bone loss that is usually observed in the regions of tooth loss ● Patients can maintain good oral hygiene just like they do for natural teeth ● Speech patterns will not be disturbed, unlike with removable prostheses ● Patients can chew normally, and it feels like a natural tooth due to its integration with bone Longevity: ● When properly maintained, it lasts for a lifetime ● This provides an edge over dental bridges, which have a fixed lifetime and need to be replaced

WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST TOOTH IMPLANT? The cost of a dental implant varies among different manufacturers. It ranges depending on the brand. The cost also depends on the number of implants that are required to be placed according to the treatment plan. HOW MUCH DO DENTAL IMPLANTS COST? The implant restores the lost tooth and is the closest replacement to the missing tooth. More than 5 million dental implants are placed every year in the USA, and the demand for dental implants has increased 10-fold between 2000 to 2010. Ease of oral hygiene maintenance is also one of the factors for patients to choose implants over dental bridges. Nonetheless, dentistry in the USA is undoubtedly a costly affair. But we at our dental office are committed to the idea that financial constraints should not act as a barrier and prevent the patient from seeking dental treatment that they deserve. As a community and patient-friendly office with the best dentists, we have committed to offering implants at affordable prices to make the treatment available for our patients across all walks of life. From the consultation to the crown placement, our goal is to make your implant appointments smoother, hassle-free, and pain-free. Consult us for your dental appointment as you deserve only the best care for your teeth.