Dental implants present a fresh, new, more convenient, high tech, and long-lasting treatment option to replace missing teeth, as compared to the earlier conventional options of teeth replacement such as dentures and bridges. Although teeth care and maintenance is a smart investment, there is a section of society that still feels that dental implants are not an affordable treatment option.

It’s true that the initial costs of placing an implant might be high, but slowly you will see the long-term savings on those expenses. Dental implants are free of all hidden costs of maintenance and replacement as compared to dentures and bridges. Let us take a deeper look at the factors that determine the high cost of dental implants and if they are worth it.

Factors that determine the cost of dental implants :

Prior investigations to determine your eligibility:

Prior examinations are a must before you get a go ahead from your dentist that are a good candidate for dental implants. For a thorough examination and to avoid misplacement of implants, 3-dimensional dental scans called CBCT scans are an absolute prerequisite. Advanced CBCT scans are a bit more expensive than two-dimensional dental x-rays, however their indispensable role in treatment planning makes it worth the cost. Additionally, your dentist might also ask you to run some tests to check for blood sugar levels for precautionary reasons. 

Time and skills of the Implant Specialist 

Not all dentists are qualified to place dental implants. Dental surgeons need to undergo several training sessions and achieve certifications to be qualified to place implants. As you already know, placing an implant is a delicate and complex procedure, hence the cost of the dental implant surgery includes the skill, expertise and qualifications of the implant specialist and their team working on your case. 

Cost of materials 

The dental implants are made of materials such as titanium and zirconia, both are known to  integrate well with the jaw bone. The materials themselves are expensive and to ensure a successful dental implant procedure no concessions can be made when it comes to quality. 

Pricing may also vary depending on the implant system used and the need for bone graft material, incase of insufficient bone height and density. It is highly recommended to trust your implant dentist’s suggestions on which materials and system to go for.  

Apart from the dental implant, you also need to bear the costs of the dental crown, which will be placed above the implant post and acts and looks like your natural teeth. Metal, metal-ceramic and all-ceramic are some of the options available and prices vary based on what you choose. Laboratory and material charges apply.

Additional treatments: 

Additional dental procedures such as extractions, gum cleaning and scaling might be suggested by your dentist depending on the condition of the implant site and overall oral health. It is likely that these treatments will be conducted by their specific specialists, hence those costs must be factored in as well. 

Multiple implants 

There’s a misconception that replacing all of your teeth with dental implants would be very expensive. However, with techniques like all-on-4 or all-on 6 dental implants, it’s not necessary to replace each tooth with a separate dental implant. As few as four implants can anchor an entire upper or lower arch. This makes a full-mouth dental implant tooth replacement far more affordable than many patients assume.

Financing options for dental implants 

Since dental implants procedure is considered to be a cosmetic rather than a medical procedure, many health insurance companies do not cover dental implant procedure charges. One might argue that oral health is as if not more important than general health, but the availability of cheaper tooth replacement options works against dental implants. Luckily, many dental clinics offer easy monthly installments plans and part payment options to help cope with the initial high costs. 

What’s the verdict?

It’s time we changed our thinking and asked an honest question to ourselves bearing all the above factors: are dental implants really that expensive? Ultimately, when you factor in the peace of mind and improved quality of life that you get after dental implants, the cost of treatment is an excellent value for money. Dental implant procedure costs vary from dentist to dentist. It is prudent to contact your trusted dentist and estimate the costs based on your specific needs. 

Don’t rule out dental implants just because you assume they are expensive. You may find out that they are far more affordable than you think. Dental implants are a huge decision so make sure you do your research before making any decision. 

The best way to know if dental implants are right for you, and to learn more about their benefits, is to schedule an appointment today by calling +91 98301 84084 or filling out the online appointment form. 

Dental implants have always taken the cake when it comes to choosing the best solution for permanently replacing missing or damaged teeth. Dental implants deserve the love it gets. They are long-lasting, durable, look, feel and function like natural teeth and are easy to maintain. 

However, they should not be regarded as ‘fit and forget’.Just because dental implants are “easy” to care for, doesn’t mean your oral hygiene routine should be any less stringent. Neglected implants develop plaque and tartar and can also be susceptible to bacteria, which may result in gum disease. This causes eventual bone loss around the implants leading to implant failure. How well you maintain dental implants directly impact how long and well they last. 

How to maintain dental implants on a daily basis? 

Proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are crucial for the health and maintenance of your natural teeth and dental implants. Here are 6 ways to maintain dental implants to extend their longevity. 

1. Postoperative dental implant care: It is critical to follow the post operative instructions by the dentist to ensure proper healing takes place after the surgery. Care should be taken to isolate the implant site for at least 2 weeks after surgery.  It is recommended to stick to a soft diet and chew away from the site during the 10-12 week integration period. 

Other after-care instructions include not spitting for 24 hours after surgery, saline rinses after meals, avoiding hot and spicy diet and strenuous activity at least for a week after surgery. Medications must be taken as prescribed by the clinician. The average healing time for this surgery is 3-4 months which varies from patient to patient. 

2. Brush daily: Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled tooth paste or electronic toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste is necessary for long term success. This will gently yet effectively remove any plaque buildup and food particles stuck between the teeth, without damaging the implant. For those hard to reach spots, use a tiny interdental brush that is specifically designed to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. 

3. Floss daily: In addition to brushing, you should also floss once a day. This will help reach the places even interdental brush might not. Use a dental tape or implant specific floss in a shoe-shine manner around the implant site. Be cautious of how you floss around the dental implant.  You should never push the floss down into the gum pocket to avoid disturbing the peri-implant region. You can also use a water flosser to reduce inflammation, bleeding and plaque buildup.

4. Avoid hard to chew foods: There is no doubt that dental implants are strong and durable, but they are not indestructible. There are certain foods you must avoid in order to maintain dental implants, at least in the few months of having them. Avoid hard to chew foods such as popcorn, nuts, raw vegetables, candy and chewing gum in the initial weeks following the surgery. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth after sugary food items and beverages.  

Do not use your implant teeth as tools to open bottle caps, bite your nails or chew on ice cubes. Anything that damages your natural teeth can harm your dental implants as well. 

5. Say no to smoking:  When it comes to dental implant procedure , smoking can significantly delay the healing process and the failure rate of implant osseointegration is considerably higher among smokers. Smoking tobacco increases bacterial growth in the mouth that can travel to the implant site and cause infection. It is advised to quit smoking for at least 3 months to ensure proper healing and implant osseointegration.

In the long term- the effects of smoking on the oral cavity include but are not restricted to periodontal disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. 

6. Regular dental check-ups: Making a visit to your dentist once in 6 months after your implant tooth is placed is a great way to ensure your implant lasts a life-time. Your dentist can catch problems early and provide treatments or professional cleanings to prevent premature loss of dental implants. Regular hygiene appointments with your dentist  can also help to remind you how to correctly maintain dental implants, and improve your cleaning technique as required.  

Getting implants is the first step,but to maintain dental implants  in the correct way so that they last a lifetime is what makes the difference. It is your commitment to oral hygiene and willingness to attend regular maintenance reviews that will have the most influence on how long they will last. 

By following the above mentioned steps  on how to care for a dental implant, you are doing your part to keep your restoration healthy.  Interested in getting dental implant treatment by our expert oral surgeon at Dental World? Book a consultation today by calling +91 98301 84084 or filling out the online appointment form.

Factors to consider when choosing your dental implant dentist

1. Formal training and experience: Successful implant placement and restoration requires a high level of experience and skill. Ideally, you must choose a doctor who has years of specialized training in placing implants, and has placed implants of a variety of dental systems.

Dental implant procedures are continually advancing, and you must wish to go ahead with an implant dentist who has undertaken several dental implant education courses and training sessions supported by professional associations. Don’t be shy to ask your dentist the following questions:

• How long they’ve been placing dental implants
• How many implants do they place each year?
• How many previous implants have they successfully placed?
• Name of the dental implant courses, course dates and from where they were obtained.

2. Ability to provide additional treatments: In order for a dental implant procedure to be successful, the patient must have sufficient bone height, width, and density in the jaw to place the implant into. During the initial consultation, the dentist will clinically examine whether the patient has enough bone for implant treatment. Insufficient or damaged  jaw bone due to either periodontal disease or tooth loss can be built up using advanced bone grafting techniques. Natural or synthetic bone material can be used to prepare a firm base for the dental implant.

These treatments require advanced skills and can only be carried out by a specialist. If you require a bone graft, as with implants, you must choose a dentist for dental implants with the relevant training and experience in performing bone grafting procedures.

3. Technological infrastructure and knowledge: The latest dental technologies offer quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for effective implant surgery. These technologies include.

• CBCT scanner and planning software
• Digital X-ray
• Intra-oral scanners

Ideally, your dental implantologist must have a CBCT machine on-site at their disposal. Along with the infrastructure, the implantologist must also have knowledge on how to make the best use of the technology during the implant planning process. The CBCT scans allow the implant dentist to assess the quality and quantity of jaw bone, the presence of any periodontal disease or infection, and the overall oral health of the patient.

It is also wise to go ahead with a dentist for dental implants that use a computer-guided implant surgery approach using the images from the patient’s cone beam CT scan to digitally plan implant positioning and placement. This approach allows for a more safer and precise placement of the implant as well as surgery time reduction.

4. Patient testimonials and online reviews: Before you make up your mind to go ahead with a particular implant specialist or clinic, it is important to take a look at their patient feedback and testimonials. You can either read online reviews  or the testimonials and implant success stories they have displayed on their website. This will give you an accurate and valuable insight into the implant dentists’ work.  You should also ask to see before and after photos of their previous cases to get an idea of their skill and competency.

5. Dental team: Last but not the least, your ideal dentist for dental implants must have a competent, caring and highly skilled team of doctors and support staff. You will get a fair idea of the team’s attitude and commitment during the initial consultation sessions itself. It might also be so that your implant dentist might transfer you to another doctor to complete the prosthesis part of your implant journey. Therefore all the doctors must be as skilled and knowledgeable as your implant dentist.

Finding a dental surgeon with the right education, training, and experience is crucial to ensure implant success. However, finding a practitioner whom you can trust and who cares to listen to your opinions and concerns is equally important.

Interested in getting dental implants by our expert oral surgeon at Dental World? Book a consultation today by calling our helpline at +91 98301 84084 or filling out the online appointment form.

When you invest in dental implants you are investing in a dental procedure that will last you a lifetime. Dental Implants is a state-of-the-art dental procedure that has replaced dental bridges and dentures with durable, permanent teeth. Gone are the days, when ill-fit dentures would be a source of embarrassment and discomfort to the wearer. With dental implants, patients can flaunt their confident, beautiful smiles.

Technically, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root (made of titanium) surgically placed into the jaw bone by an oral surgeon, on top of which a prosthetic tooth or bridge is placed. It takes several months for the titanium root to fuse with the jaw bone. This process is called osseointegration. It creates a stable, long-lasting foundation for a new prosthetic tooth or ‘crown’.

A healthy, fully fused implant can easily last a lifetime, provided the patient takes optimal levels of oral care during the healing stages and even after that. Here are 6 dental implant tips to make dental implants last a lifetime.

1. Take care of your oral hygiene:

The health of your implants is directly dependent on the health of your teeth and gums. Gum disease and tooth decay can put you at risk of implant failure. Make sure you are following a good oral hygiene routine each day such as brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day to make dental implants last a lifetime. Rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash also removes any leftover food particles and freshens your breath.

2. Follow dental implants treatment post-care instructions:

Any form of surgery requires you to follow the post-operative care instructions given by your oral surgeon. Post-surgery, you might be instructed to limit your diet to a soft diet and no spicy or hot food.

Some other post-dental implant procedure instructions include:

• Rinsing your mouth with saline water several times a day.
• Isolating the implant site
• Taking the prescribed painkiller at intervals
• Cleaning the implant site carefully

By following your doctor’s instructions you can make dental implants last a lifetime.

3. Avoid tobacco products:

Using tobacco products of any kind can jeopardize the longevity of your implants. This might happen for several reasons. Smoking increases the chances of gum disease and bone decay, so if you are currently using tobacco products it’s highly advisable you quit before your implant surgery.

Nicotine also reduces the flow of blood to soft tissues, therefore hampering the healing process after implant surgery. Lastly, smoking also decreases the success rate of bone graft used during implant surgery to compensate for the lost bone. To keep your mouth healthy and ensure your implants last a lifetime, you have to quit tobacco products long after the surgery is performed.

4. Be careful of how and what you chew:

You might have never thought about this before, but you have to be careful about how and what you chew to make dental implants last a lifetime. Your dental implants are durable, but not indestructible and you have to look after them exactly how you would for your other natural teeth.

Make sure you use your teeth only to chew food, and not as a bottle opener or to tear or break foreign objects. Another strict no-no is chewing on ice, hard candy, or uncooked popcorn kernels.

5. Never miss your dentist appointments:

If you are among those who only visit your dentist when you experience a dental problem, that needs to change if you want to make dental implants last a lifetime. Depending on your needs, your dentist might ask you to visit them at least once in 6 months, after the entire dental implant procedure has been completed.

At the appointment, your dentist will thoroughly examine the health of your gums and teeth and the condition of your dental implant and crown. These checkups are important to detect any sign of decay or tartar build-up early on, to resolve them before they progress to become something serious.

6. Do not take teeth grinding lightly :

While grinding your teeth might not directly damage the titanium implant placed deep inside the jaw, but it can cause your dental restoration i.e., your dental crown to wear off or break down, which can be quite an inconvenience to replace. Habitual, prolonged teeth grinding can cause premature tooth wear and serious jaw issues such as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

If you unconsciously grind your teeth while sleeping at night, it is advisable to get a custom-fit night guard made by your dentist to protect your pearly whites and prevent excess strain on your jaw joints.

The journey of dental implant treatment is a long but fruitful one. The team at Dental World supports you on this journey through every step of the way. Right from the implant consultation to the surgery and even post dental implants procedure care to make dental implants last a lifetime and ensure your overall oral well-being.

Interested in getting dental implants by our expert oral surgeon at Dental World? Book a consultation today by calling on +91 98301 84084 or filling out the online appointment form.