Whether you’re missing one tooth or a full row of teeth, your dentist may have suggested dental implant supported tooth replacement. Despite the fact that these tooth replacement options have been around for decades, few patients hear about them until they need to replace a tooth. For many, it can be difficult to understand this complex tooth replacement procedure, and you’ll likely have a lot of questions. Before you decide to move forward with dental implant treatment, read this post to get the answers to the five most frequently asked questions we hear about dental implants.
1 – What are Dental Implants Made From?
Dental implants were traditionally made from titanium. This highly biocompatible metal has been used to repair bones following breaks for decades. In most cases, we will still recommend using titanium implants, but they are available in other materials, including metal-free zirconia for patients with metal allergies.
2 – How Man Implants Do I Need?
The number of implants you need depends on how many teeth you’re missing. We typically recommend the following:
- One implant – to support a single dental crown to replace one tooth, and we may be able to replace two consecutive teeth with fused together crowns attached to one implant post.
- Two implants – fixed bridge restorations are typically supported by two implant posts, one at each end, to replace several consecutive missing teeth. In some cases, a small partial denture may also be supported with two implant posts.
- Three or more implants – partial and full dentures are used to restore smiles when patients are missing numerous consecutive and/or nonconsecutive teeth up to a full row of missing teeth. In most cases, partials are supported by three to four implant posts, and full dentures require four to six implants.
3 – Are Implants Better Than Other Tooth Replacement Options?
Many dentists are recommending dental implants as the gold standard in tooth replacement solutions. They are the only restoration option that repairs both the roots and crowns of missing teeth, recreating natural form and function. This is the ideal solution for the majority of patients. However, no treatment is right for everyone, and we’ll walk you through your tooth replacement options during a consultation appointment to help you find the right treatment option.
4 – How Long Will My Dental Implants Last?
Once in place, your dental implant supported restoration will last two decades or longer in most cases. In fact, many patients are able to keep the same implant retained replacement tooth for the rest of their lives.
5 – How Much do Implants Cost?
The price of dental implants will depend in large part on your individual case. While the implant posts themselves and their surgical placement represent the bulk of the cost of your treatment, there are a number of other factors that influence pricing, including:
- Preparatory treatments like tooth extractions and tissue grafting.
- Dental sedation to ensure comfort and relaxation.
- The number of replacement teeth needed.
Meet Dr. Poe
William C. Poe V., DDS and his caring Los Alamitos dentistry team are here to answer any and all of your dental implant questions. To find out more about the implant supported tooth replacement process, call to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll be happy to walk you through the process, explain the costs associated with each step of treatment, and help you determine whether or not dental implant supported tooth replacement is right for you. If you decide dental implants aren’t for you, we also offer more traditional tooth replacement options, including fixed bridges and partial and full dentures.