If you have a gap in your teeth that you need to cover, you’re not alone! According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian men and women have an average of 4 missing teeth1. A clean-looking smile signifies good hygiene and makes you look younger. Dentures offer some relief but they’re not a long-term solution. If you have missing teeth and want a permanent solution, dental implants are just what you need!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are part of a surgical procedure during which a titanium post is fixed into a jaw bone socket. Over time the jaw and post fuse which essentially creates a permanent root for a ceramic crown. The best part about dental implants is that you don’t need to pull them out like dentures every time you go to sleep. Moreover, they last for a lifetime.
Why Are Dental Implants The Best Option?
Having in mind that dental implants are permanent, they are cheaper than other tooth-replacement options like dentures in the long run. They also keep your jaw bone structure intact and healthy. According to studies, long-term implant success is at about 97%, with only a small number of people being unsuitable for the procedure. [2] This means you pay only once unlike with dentures which need to be replaced every few years, besides being ineffective, uncomfortable and requiring additional pastes, and so on. When you add everything up, the tally is clear: dental implants come out on top.
Are Dental Implants a Fad or the Future?
Dental Implants are definitely the future. More than 3 million Americans have dental implants, with half a million new implants planted each year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. [3] They might have once been a luxury procedure, but prices have since come down, and now the cost of an implant can be as low as $500, instead of thousands. Furthermore, dental implant quality is getting better and better each year due to new techniques, materials, tools, and different designs. Demand is also growing, which is driving prices down.
Dental Implants Can Improve Quality of Life
Anyone with one or more missing teeth knows how much that can affect confidence with family, friends, and colleagues. Even worse, you might start avoiding regular dentist appointments which can lead to more problems with your teeth down the line, some of which can be quite serious.
Opting for dental implants will let your dentist do a complete examination of your mouth and teeth. And once your oral health is in check and you have that old smile back, you’ll realize how much they can boost your quality of life.
Will My Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
In most cases, dental insurance plans won’t pay out for dental implants because they consider them a cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, you can find clinics with affordable financing programs which will offer you a monthly payment plan. But before choosing a dentist, you should always compare prices in or near your city. Another affordable option is to let dental students perform the procedure under close guidance from an experienced professional.
Whatever root you pick, know that you’ll be the proud owner of a great smile once you’re dental implants are complete. More importantly, your new teeth will feel almost like natural ones and will probably last for the rest of your life.
[1]https://www.ada.org.au/WorldOralHealthDay2019
[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4050226/
[3]https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-dentalimplants-patient-percept/patients-can-spot-trouble-with-new-dental-implants-idUSKCN0PJ2GQ20150709https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4028797/
