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Missing or failing teeth can impact your quality of life, making eating or speaking difficult. A gap in your smile can cause you to feel self-conscious, negatively impacting your self-esteem. Dental implants are the most advanced way to restore teeth, providing a welcome alternative to ill-fitting dentures, and they offer some impressive oral health benefits.
Dental implants artificially replace a tooth, including the tooth root. They consist of a small post or screw surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once inserted, the screw gradually integrates or bonds with the jawbone during osseointegration. During this process, new bone cells grow on and around the post, which is often specially treated to encourage this growth.
Once fully fused in the jawbone, a special attachment called an abutment is fitted onto the post, protruding above the gumline. The abutment supports the replacement tooth in the form of a dental crown or dental bridge. Both these restorations are permanently screwed or cemented in place and are only removable by a dentist.
Another option is to have a removable appliance called an implant denture or implant overdenture, where a denture has special attachments on its fitting surface that clip onto the implants, but you can take out the denture for regular cleaning and maintenance. Dental implants can replace single or multiple teeth or even complete arches, providing patients with teeth that look and feel strong, stable, and natural.
Mini dental implants are much narrower than traditional implants and the insertion process differs slightly. Instead of making an incision into the gum to expose the bone underneath so the implant can be inserted, a mini dental implant is inserted directly through the gum and into the bone. Mini dental implants are suitable for securing loose dentures and for situations where there is inadequate room to place an ordinary dental implant, for example, when restoring a small lower incisor and where space is very limited.
Usually, mini dental implants are cheaper than traditional dental implants because of their smaller size and the technique used to place them. However, they are only suitable for specific situations. If you are looking for affordable dental implants, mini dental implants could be an option, but we cannot tell for sure until we examine your mouth.
Generally, most people are suitable for dental implants.
Good general health
You need to be over 18 so your jawbone has finished growing and developing, but being older is not usually a barrier to treatment. You must have good general health as if you have poorly controlled diabetes or other problems affecting your immune system, it can impact healing after implant surgery and increase the chance of complications.
Good gum health
Good gum health is also very important, so if you have active gum disease, we must treat this first before you can receive dental implants. Smokers should be prepared to quit, ideally for several months before their treatment and for good afterward, but at least for the duration of healing. Smoking interferes with the body’s ability to heal after implant surgery and can significantly increase the risk of implant failure.
Good jawbone density
Good jawbone density is another important factor, as dental implants must be surrounded by a specific amount of strong, healthy bone with which to integrate and bond. It’s not unusual for people to need a bone graft before dental implants. Bone loss can occur because of trauma, but it often happens if you lost teeth quite some time ago and where the bone has naturally resorbed. It can also be destroyed by advanced gum disease, called periodontal disease.
Treatment offers several benefits, including the following.
Most dental implants are made from medical-grade titanium alloy, the same material used in joint replacements and other medical applications. Titanium alloys have long been considered the gold standard for permanent implant materials as it is biocompatible, integrate well with your natural bone, and the risk of rejection due to metal allergies is extremely rare.
Titanium Alloy material has an excellent yield strength and corrosion resistance ability. The most commonly used Ti-alloy in dental implants is Grade V titanium alloy, which consists of titanium and 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 0.25% iron, and 0.2% oxygen.
It is also possible to have dental implants made from zirconia, a strong ceramic material that is naturally white-colored and very durable. Zirconia implants are a relatively new innovation but can be useful in specific circumstances, such as when aesthetics are important or where someone has very thin gum tissue, so there is a risk that a metal implant could shine through.
Zirconia is also extremely biocompatible, and it may be a good choice for anyone worried about having metal in their body or who has severe metal allergies.
A tooth implant usually requires several visits to Century Dental Center. Here is what you can expect during your visits:
Initial consultation. We will assess your dental and medical health to determine if you are a good candidate for tooth implantation and discuss whether this treatment suits you, the time required, and estimated costs.
Diagnostic tests. We need to take diagnostic images of your jaws, any existing teeth that might need removing, important structures like nerves and blood vessels that must be avoided during implant surgery, including:
Bone grafting. The scan also allows us to quantify the amount of available bone for implant placement. If inadequate bone is available, we can discuss bone grafting procedures to restore it. At this point, we can give you a firm estimate of the costs required.
Implant planning. We will plan the location of each implant, ensuring it is inserted optimally into the jawbone at the right depth and angulation so that, once fully restored, it provides excellent functionality and aesthetics. This part of the procedure is done behind the scenes.
Implant surgery. After numbing your mouth to ensure the treatment is comfortable, we can begin the surgery to insert the dental implant or implants. Treatment is relatively quick, typically taking an hour or less to insert a single dental implant.
Healing. Once the implant is placed, we can cover it completely and leave it to heal, or sometimes immediate implant placement is possible. If this is the case, we will almost certainly fit a temporary tooth onto the dental implant to be used while the implant heals and fuses with your jawbone, a process that takes several months to complete.
Permanent crown. The temporary implant tooth should look reasonably good, but it is really for aesthetic purposes, as it’s important to ensure the implant isn’t disturbed while it heals. When healing is complete, the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent crown that will look and feel even better and can be used to bite and chew food normally.
Healing after dental implants should be fairly quick and uneventful. Please follow all instructions carefully, as this will help you heal more quickly.
We take extensive care during implant surgery to ensure you feel comfortable and pain-free, using plenty of local anesthetic to block any feelings of discomfort.
Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience:
However, this should be easily controllable with over-the-counter painkillers and ice packs.
We can prescribe painkillers if needed and are always here to offer additional help and advice. However, it’s not unusual to feel no discomfort, especially if you only require a single dental implant.
Low pain threshold. If you have a low pain threshold or are concerned about the oral surgery needed to place dental implants, please discuss this with us, as we can devise a suitable treatment plan to help ensure you feel relaxed and pain-free, for example, using sedation dentistry.
We aim to offer high-quality, affordable dental implants using reputable implant components and restoration materials that provide long-lasting results.
The cost of implant treatment can vary tremendously. Some of the factors include:
Our best implant dentists can give you a complete breakdown of costs when you first visit us.
Century Dental Center accepts most dental insurance plans, including Fidelis Care, MetroPlus Dental, ElderPlan, Medicaid, and AARP Medicare Advantage. Since dental implants are considered restorative treatment by many insurance companies, they are usually covered in full or at least partially.
| Type of Implant | Average Cost | Average Cost with Dental Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Single implant | $3,200 to $5,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Bridge implant | $4,000 to $10,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| All-on-4 implant | $25,000 to $40,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 |
* The final cost of dental implants with dental insurance depends on how much dental implant cost is covered and the patient’s deductible.
If you do not have dental insurance and paying from your packet, the average cost of a single dental implant ranges from $3200 to $5,000. The final cost is mainly influenced by the type of material used and the preparation required.
We know many dental offices offer cheap dental implants at prices that seem too good to be true, but it is not worth trying to cut costs on dental implant care. Good quality dental implant components are not cheap because they are subject to extensive testing and use the best quality materials, so they last longer. Opting for cheap dental implants can be a false economy in the longer term.
Dental implants are a long-lasting solution for tooth loss, and with the right care, you should be enjoying them for many years or even for life. They are easy to care for, but you must commit to a regular oral care routine that includes cleaning around them thoroughly to remove plaque and food buildup that could otherwise cause infection and inflammation and potentially lead to implant loss.
While dental implants are artificial, the bone and gum tissue surrounding them are living, and unless you care for your implants, these tissues can become infected. It is also important to visit us regularly for dental checkups and professional dental cleanings where we can clean around your implants thoroughly and check their condition and provide any additional maintenance required.
The table displays the survival rates of delayed implants based on a large-scale population-based study of over 4519 records of implants published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine on 7 August 2022.
| Titanium implants | 5-Year Success Rate | 10-Year Success Rate | 20-Year Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium implants | 95%-96.7% | 90%-93.3% | 85%-88.9% |
| Zirconium implants | 95%-96.7% | 90%-93.3% | 85%-88.9% |
| Biological implants | 90% | 85% | 80% |
| All-on-4 implant | 95% | 90% | 85% |
References:
The table displays the percentage of patients satisfied with their implant therapy. This 10-year prospective cohort study was published by the Department of Periodontology and Fixed Prosthodontics at the University of Bern.
| Statement | VAS Score | Percentage of Patients (Satisfaction) |
|---|---|---|
| Function and chewing comfort | 94 ± 13 | 97% |
| Phonetic function | 96 ± 10 | 96% |
| Aesthetics | 93 ± 13 | 97% |
| Cleansing | 89 ± 19 | 93% |
| Bleeding | 55 ± 27 | 37% |
| Fulfillment of treatment | 92 ± 14 | 92% |
| Willingness to undergo treatment again | 93 ± 17 | 94% |
| Willingness to recommend treatment to others | 93 ± 16 | 89% |
| Cost of treatment | 85 ± 20 | 87% |
The table displays the percentage of patients who experienced various complications/risks after their dental implant surgery.
| Risk | Risk description | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Infection | The risk of infection can be reduced by taking antibiotics before and after surgery. | 1-5% |
| Delayed bone healing | Delayed bone healing due to poor osseointegration (fuse) with the bone can happen due to insufficient oral hygiene, smoking, or certain medical conditions. | 2-10% |
| Nerve damage | Nerve damage can occur during the placement of the implant. This is a rare complication, but it can cause numbness or tingling in the lips, gums, or tongue. | 0.1-1% |
| Prolonged bleeding | Bleeding can occur after the placement of the implant. This is usually a minor complication that can be controlled with pressure. | 1-5% |
| Jaw fractures | Jaw fractures are a rare complication of dental implants. They can occur if the dentist places the implant in an area of weak bone. | 0.1% |
| Allergic reaction to implant materials | Some people may experience an allergic reaction to the materials used in dental implants for example to zirconium. This is a rare complication, but it can be serious | Rare |
| Risk of staining | Zirconium implants are less likely to stain than titanium implants. | Less likely |
| Risk of fracture | Zirconium implants are less likely to fracture than titanium implants. | Rare |
References:
With the right planning, placement, and after-care, dental implants can be an excellent teeth replacement and long-term investment in your dental health.
Century Medical and Dental Center is an accredited healthcare facility in NY that operates in accordance with Article 28, a public health law. This law regulates and recognizes accreditation for public healthcare facilities, ensuring they are licensed and operated correctly. By undergoing the Article 28 process and achieving accreditation, Century Medical and Dental Center demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest standards of care.
As a multidisciplinary medical center, we have highly qualified doctors, nurses, and support staff who are working hard to provide the best medical care to patients in Midtown Manhattan, NY, Downtown Brooklyn, NY, including Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, and Bedford-Stuyvesant.