A dental implant is an artificial tooth surgically implanted into your jawbone. It is a popular tooth replacement option after tooth loss or extraction. It's becoming very well accepted dental procedure among dental patients and more than 5 million dental implants are placed in the U.S. every year.
The body of a dental implant consists of three pieces that serve different functions:
Dental implants have their benefits. However, they can also come with disadvantages.
Here are the benefits of dental implants:
Here are the disadvantages of getting dental implants:
A single dental implant is ideal when one tooth is missing, and you want to replace it for aesthetics, comfort, and function. It requires one dental crown that connects to the implant screw. The average cost of a single tooth implant can range from $3,000 to $4,500.
Implant-supported bridges are ideal for people with several missing teeth. The implant acts as an anchor for the bridge (instead of a natural tooth). A fixed dental bridge restores function by preventing other teeth from moving. It also improves eating and speaking functions. An implant-supported bridge costs between $5,000 and $16,000.
All-on-4 implants are recommended when a patient is looking for a secure solution for many missing teeth. This solution restores your entire upper or lower jaw (or both arches). This is a permanent restoration. However, the overdenture can be removed for cleaning and dental exams. The average cost ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch.