Tooth implants are a way to replace one or more missing teeth. They do not rest on other teeth, like a bridge, or on the gum, like dentures. Instead, they fuse directly to the jawbone. Through a 20-year track record of clinical use, implants have proven themselves effective and durable, claims the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons' website
History
Dental implants date to 1952, when Per Ingvar Branemark of Lund, Sweden, noticed while researching bone grafts that titanium plates bonded readily with live bone. In further experiments, he found that the integration was highly predictable and did not lead to inflammation or tissue rejection, according to the Dental Implants website. He called the phenomenon "osseointegration." Experimental dental implantation began in 1965.
Description
A dental implants is essentially a titanium screw that replaces a tooth root, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Once in place, it can support a variety of restoration types. If only one tooth is missing, the dentist or prosthodontist places a crown over the implant. If more are missing, options include bridges, partial dentures and additional implants.
Benefits
Standard fixed bridges and removable dentures typically must be replaced every seven to 15 years because decay and gum disease develop in the tissues around them, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dental implants have the advantage of permanence. Cosmetically, they are usually indistinguishable from other teeth, and they are not subject to cavities. They do require the same hygiene, however, as natural teeth.
Complications
Dental implants do not work in every case. One potential failure occurs when an implant does not completely integrate with the bone because it is not positioned optimally. Dental implants can also break or develop an infection following the implantation surgery, noted the Consumer Guide to Dentistry. Over time, poor oral care can lead to a condition called peri-implantitis, which is similar to the periodontal gum disease you can develop around natural teeth.
Cost
A single dental implants can cost between $1,000 and $5,000, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry. If you need restoration of all your teeth, you can expect a price tag of between $24,000 and $100,000. Factors that contribute to the final cost include the type of implant, whether the patient has dental insurance that covers some costs and the rates that a dentist or prosthodontist charges.
