Tooth decay, injury, and gum disease are the main causes of missing teeth. Dentists might sometimes remove a tooth for surgery or the proper placement of braces. If you want dental implants after surgery or extraction, you may have to wait for some time. Dental implants are high-grade metal frames that surgeons position in the jawbone beneath your gums. Once they are in place, dentists mount replacement teeth on the frames.

How do dental implants work?
Dentists fuse the implants or the metal frames in your jawbone, providing stable support for artificial teeth. If dentists place dentures or bridges on the frames, there is no risk that they may shift since it helps the dentures and bridges be secure. Individual crowns are placed on the implants, giving you the closest feeling to a real tooth. You can get dental implants if you have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implants. Once you have dental implants, it is important to maintain high oral hygiene. It is also important to visit the dentist as per the follow-up schedule.

What are the uses of dental implants?
Dental implants can fill the gap from a missing tooth. It can make a person self-conscious when they talk or smile. Having an implant does not affect the adjacent teeth. Without an implant, the gaps may cause a surrounding tooth to bend or collapse, which may affect the structure of your mouth. It also reduces the chances of cavities forming in the surrounding teeth. The nearby teeth also have reduced chances of tooth sensitivity. Without implants, the gaps may cause sensitivity.

They are reliable, and you do not have to do much to maintain them except following good oral hygiene. Since they are permanent fixtures, there is no need to take them out every night. Dental implants look more natural and are more comfortable when compared to other artificial tooth replacement techniques. It helps you chew well and ensures that you do not develop speech difficulties. Dental implants are more reliable and have a better success rate when compared to other types of artificial tooth replacement procedures.

How much does a dental implant cost?
Dental implants are expensive and often not feasible for people to pay for out-of-pocket. The insurance coverage for dental implants is only about 10%. Dental implants for a single tooth can average between $1,500 and $6,000. Full mouth implants can be as high as $40,000.

What are the types of dental implants?
There are three types of dental implants – Endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic implants. Zygomatic is a complex implant and is not in use. The American Dental Association only considers endosteal and subperiosteal implants as safe. Doctors decide on the type of implant based on your oral health and overall health. Each implant has many components like connectors and coatings. Doctors will choose the right size and method to place the implants. The two categories of dental implants are:

Endosteal implants
Dentists use this type of implant more often. They can also serve as an alternative to bridges or removable dentures. The implants can be screw types, cylindrical types, or blade types. All these are safe, and your dentist may choose the best one for you.

Treatment
Dentists first drill a titanium screw which acts as a frame and artificial root. They wait for about two months to heal and then attach the tooth. Doctors will recommend an endosteal implant only if there is good jawbone density and volume. If not, they would recommend a subperiosteal implant.

Subperiosteal implants
These are rare nowadays and only used for insufficient bone height patients. Dentists place the implants on the jawbone within the gum tissue. The metal implant is exposed through the gums and holds the tooth or the denture.