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What is an Implant?
A dental implant is a small, titanium root replacement, surgically placed in the upper or lower jawbone. Similar to a tooth’s original root, implants function to provide the foundation for single tooth crowns, multiple tooth bridges, or partial and full dentures.
Implants act and function like normal teeth and prevent movement, or drifting, of adjacent teeth. Chewing on your teeth stimulate the formation of bone and without that stimulation, the bone goes away. Implants, like teeth help maintain bone and prevent bone loss. Gaps can be closed with implants to provide a long-lasting, beautiful option.
Why do I need an Implant?
- Implant to replace a severely damaged tooth or missing tooth. An implant to replace a damaged or missing tooth preserves the most bone and is easier to take care of than a conventional bridge. Teeth are constantly moving to allow for natural wear and proper function. Gaps allow other teeth to drift and move and are the first steps of bite collapse. Implants help stop tooth drifting and bite collapse.
- Bridge Option for a single missing tooth. While a bridge is an option for replacing one or more teeth, adjacent teeth must be crowned to ‘anchor’ the bridge. These anchor teeth may be natural, healthy teeth with no restorations. These teeth will need to be crowned in order to place a bridge. Over time these teeth can be severely damaged. Implants offer a less aggressive option and are lower in cost should the bridge need to be replaced.
- Multiple missing teeth: An implant bridge is a great option to replace multiple missing teeth. This type of bridge is permanently screw or cemented to the implant, therefore it does not need to come out at night like a looser fitting removable partial denture.
- A loose removable partial denture. Partial dentures can be loose, uncomfortable to wear and trap food. A permanent implant placed under the partial denture stabilizes the partial by connecting to underlying bone, providing greater stability, comfort, and function. Again, these implants will preserve underlying bone.
- A loose full denture. Dentures can be uncomfortable due to their loose-fitting nature. Implants placed underneath the denture, firmly connect the denture to the bone. This provides greater support and stability and can improve chewing and speech. Implants preserve the bone underneath the denture.
Filling a gap:
Implant supported bridge:
Implant supported denture:
What should I expect during my single implant procedure?
- First, the dentist determines that a tooth cannot be repaired or that a repair would not last long term.
- When a tooth is extracted / removed, the existing bone dissolves quickly. To prevent this, the dentist may place a bone graft to preserve the bone for the future implant. Early bone grafting is crucial. Late bone grafting can be more unpredictable (i.e. bone will not grow), costly and time consuming.
- Next, a digital impression of your teeth is taken to evaluate the surgical site and to assist in planning. We use a Dental cone beam x-ray (dental CT) to create 3-D models to plan for your new implant.
- Your implant is placed using a surgical guide. The guide allows precise placement and helps avoid critical structures such as nerves and blood vessels.
- After 3 to 4 months of healing, we take the final digital impression to create the abutment and crown/bridge/denture.
The crown/bridge/denture is placed in the next 1 to 2 weeks
Implants for Single Teeth, Bridges, and Dentures
What are my options for missing teeth?
- Do nothing, this option increases your chances of further tooth, gum and bone loss. Delaying treatment may result in increased cost and time to restore your smile.
- Not everyone is a candidate for an implant. A conventional bridge may be the best option. Please ask Dr Kitzmiller if this is for you.
- Traditional partial or full dentures
- Implants
Why would I choose a dental implant?
- Replaces damaged tooth and root.
- Preserves bone.
- Holds space.
- Most affordable long-term if done early.
- Implants are generally a conservative option that replace the missing tooth / teeth without damaging the teeth next door.
- Restoring the mouth with implants and a dental bridge is accomplished in two phases. The first phase is the surgical placement of the implants. They are left under the gums for several months while the bone attaches to them. After healing, the second phase.
Interested in Dental Implants? Here’s What to Expect
- Implant placement is the final solution for most dental treatment needs. Dr. Kitzmiller will evaluate your situation and review the options to help you decide.
- All other treatment (cavities, gum disease etc.) must be completed first.
- Orthodontics / Braces
- Braces MUST be put on before dental implants.
- Implants don’t move like teeth.
- If an implant is placed before braces, the other teeth will have to be moved around the implant. Your final smile may look misaligned.
- There is no “feeling” with an implant.
- With poor home care, loss of bone around dental implants may occur just as it does with your existing teeth.
It depends on your own circumstances, including:
- What other dental problems do you have? Implants require more planning when there are more dental problems that must be treated first.
- How much bone is present? Additional bone grafting may be needed to replace missing bone or fill in an underlying sinus.
- Is there is enough gum? If not, you may need time to grow gum tissue or you may require gum grafting around the teeth to achieve a more natural look.
- Nerves, blood vessels and sinus in the treatment area may require additional procedures prior to implant placement.
- Following dental implant surgery, you will need an average of 3 to 4 months for healing before a crown/bridge/denture can be safely placed on the implant. Occasionally, patients need a full year to heal. Because the time required to heal varies, plan on receiving your single implant crown/bridge/denture in 4 months (best case) to 1 year (worst case).
- Once the bone and gum around the implant has healed, your Dr. Kitzmiller will take a digital impression of the implant and surrounding teeth. Digital impressions can speed up the process. (See .)
- Some dental implants can be placed immediately after tooth removal and a temporary crown attached on the day of surgery. This type of placement is at greater risk for failure. Certain factors must be present before you and your dentist consider this option.
- Dentist and patient scheduling issues can prolong treatment.
Although an implant may initially cost more than a bridge or removable denture, implants offer lower long-term cost in addition to providing better function (speaking, chewing) and appearance. Unlike an implant that lasts up to 40 years, other options can wear out more quickly and need to be replaced. On average, a bridge needs to be replaced every 10 to 12 years. One replacement will justify cost of a dental implant. The example below provides a simple cost comparison if the patient wanted to replace missing tooth:
Long Term Comparison of Costs
TREATMENT SCENARIO-Treatment comparison over time
Bridge cost | vs | Implant cost |
Initial cost of Bridge(3-unit) = $4,500-$4,600+ | Implant placement = $2,500 – $2,500 | |
Replacement cost at 10 years=$4,500-$4,600+ | Implant Crown = $2,500 – $3,000 | |
Replacement cost at 20 years=$4,500-$4,600+ | Replacement cost at 20 years= $0 | |
Total cost= $13,500 – $13,800+ |
| Total cost= $6,000 – $9,000 |
Savings |
- Increased long term success when compared to root canal therapy.
- No need to damage adjacent healthy teeth.
- Decrease chance of root canal therapy on prepared teeth.
- Better long term cost. On average, a bridge needs to be replaces every 10 to 12 years. One replacement will justify cost of a dental implant. See the example below under “Cost Advantage of an Implant.“
- Keeps bone in the area.
- When properly planned, implants are esthetic and result in a beautiful smile.
- When combined with full dentures, implants fit more snugly.
- When combined with partial dentures, clasps can be removed and are not visible.
- No cavities can form on implants.
- High initial cost, but lower long term cost.
- May take more time to achieve final result.
- There is no “feeling” with an implant.
- Less insurance coverage for implants, although this is improving.
- Additional bone grafting may be needed to replace missing bone or fill in an underlying sinus.
- Soft tissue (gums) may need to be developed (grown) around the teeth to achieve a more natural look.
- Implants require surgical intervention.
- With poor home care, loss of bone around dental implants may occur.
- Dentistry has developed its own “dental CT.”
- Aids our dentist in diagnosis, treatment planning and dental implant placement.
- Lower radiation exposure than medical “CT.”
- Three-dimensional (3D) image of bone, nerves and structures.
- Helps avoid damage to nerves, blood vessels and other structures during implant surgery.
- Aids in proper orientation and placement of the implant in bone.
- Diagnosis that tooth cannot be fixed or requires too much time and expense to keep.
- Models of your teeth are taken to plan for the implant.
- Dental cone beam x-ray taken to evaluate surgical site.
- Severely damage tooth extracted, bone graft placed, temporary tooth covers space.
- After 3 to 4 months of healing, final impression for abutment and crown taken.
- Same day to two weeks later, placement of abutment and crown.
Visit our Patient Education Center under the Topic “Restoring Teeth” and remember to look at related treatments on the Cosmetic Treatments page.