The Answers To All Your Questions On Dental Implants

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Over 3 million people in the U.S alone have dental implants, and the number is increasing by 500,000 every year. In Cypress, TX alone, thousands of dental implants are reported each year.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants consist of an artificial root that is usually made of titanium, with a crown that is fitted on top of it, resembling a natural tooth!

Why get dental implants?

Dental implants could be an alternative to lost teeth, badly decayed or infected teeth or even broken teeth. Preventing bone loss and oral defects in adjacent teeth are a few of the many reasons why dentists recommend dental implants.

Do dental implants hurt?

Yes, and no! The surgery would obviously not hurt you since you’d be given local or general anesthesia to help you relax during the process. However, there would be some residual pain after the surgery. Thankfully, most patients have said that the pain during the healing phase is only as much as that of tooth extractions. Painkillers like Ibuprofen are enough to get rid of such pain!

What are the types?

Based on the surgical technique, there are two common types of dental implants: Endosteal and Periosteal. 

Endosteal implants are those in which the root of the implant is implanted directly into the jawbone, just like the root of a natural tooth. This makes the implant strong, firm and durable.

Periosteal implants, on the other hand, are for patients who do not have enough jawbone to support the implants. In this case, the implant is below the gums, but above the jawbone.

If your dentist deems necessary, he may suggest other surgeries like sinus lift, bone augmentation or bone graft, to achieve enough bone to perform an endosteal implant.

Based on the type of material used, implants can be categorized into titanium and zirconia implants.

Titanium implants are the most common type. They come in two parts: the crown and the root, and gives the dentist enough control over the surgery to perfectly place and fit the implant. They are strong and durable and are known to last for decades. However, some patients are allergic to the metallic nature, and thus, go for zirconia implants.

Zirconia implants are known for their aesthetics. They are of ceramic nature and emit a bright and natural white color, that perfectly resembles a beautiful natural tooth. However, they come in one piece and hence, do not give the dentist enough control over the positioning and fit of the implant. Furthermore, these implants have not been in the market for long enough to prove their durability.

Which type is cheaper?

Generally, titanium implants are cheaper than zirconia implants. However, dental implants are expensive restorative dentistry procedures. You’d hardly find any significant cost deductions when it comes to dental implants since the materials for the implants remain the same.