Whether Or Not To Get An Implant

The condition of your teeth is important to your mental and physical health. People without teeth are often self-conscious, embarrassed to smile, talk, or eat around others, and may even avoid social functions. Having the right amount of healthy, strong teeth is not only important for your psychological health, it is also important for your physical health so you can eat a wide variety of healthy foods. Sometimes edentulism (being entirely toothless) begins with the loss of only one tooth. That one turns to two, two turns to three, and so on. Below are some questions and answers to help you decide whether or not you should get a dental implant.

Questions And Answers

Question: Are dental implants effective?

 Answer: Over the past 40 years and thousands of implant procedures, dental implants have proven very effective. In fact, studies show that 95 percent of implant procedures are successful.

Question: Is the implant procedure painful?

 Answer: Today dental treatments are faster, easier, and more comfortable due to sedation options. Anesthesia and sedation can relieve dental anxiety and reduce discomfort. During an implant procedure your dentist will numb the area and administer sedation making sure the implant is not any more painful than receiving a filling.

Question: Can anyone afford an implant?

Answer: Implants are an investment and can cost anywhere from about $2,500 to $10, 000 depending on whether the procedure only involves placing the implant, or if it includes extracting the tooth, grafting the bone, tissue grafts, or sinus lifts. However, the initial investment may seem high, but your implant will look, perform, and last just like your original tooth.

 Question: Can anyone missing a tooth get an implant?

 Answer: No. Unfortunately not everybody is a candidate for an implant. The implant procedure requires a strong, healthy jaw bone to osseointegrate (fuse) with the titanium implant post. If your jaw bone is compromised in any way, you may not be an optimal implant candidate.