What are dental implants?

Dental implants are actually nothing more than just metal screws that are placed into the jawbone. They act as anchors for a false tooth or a set of false teeth. However, these are not just ordinary metal screws but are made of titanium metal which are highly compatible with our bone and oral tissues. They also have the ability to “fuses” with the jawbone through a process called “Osseo- integration” causing little tissue inflammation or rejection.

This bonding between the titanium metal piece and the jawbone make dental implants very strong and long lasting. There is no problem with slippage which means that you can eat and speak with comfort and confidence. When a dental implant restoration is perfectly constructed, there is practically no way in differentiating it from a natural tooth. They look and feel just like your very own.

Why dental implants are gaining in popularity over the use of dentures and bridges?

Traditionally, to solve the problem of missing teeth, dentures would be used. But there are many problems that come with the use of dentures. Slippage and discomfort are the main complaints.

Then we have the dental bridging. This is considered a better alternative to dentures where you have a false tooth or teeth fused between 2 porcelain crowns to fill the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth. But again there are problems too and these include a loose fit, porcelain fracture, an opening near the gum-line, improper shape or color, and difficulties with the teeth that are supporting them.

Dental implants have none of these problems. They are more natural looking replacement for missing teeth and they are able to function like natural teeth. Moreover, with proper care, just as you would do for your natural teeth i.e. brushing, flossing and regular check ups, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Here are some listed benefits of having dental implants:

1. Help maintain face structure

When teeth are lost, the bone that held the original natural teeth begins the process of resorption and this causes shrinkage of the jawbone. When this happens, your mouth tends to have that “caved in” appearance and the face looks somehow distorted. With dental implants, they serve to stimulate the jawbone just like your natural teeth, preventing bone resorption and facial distortion.

2. Help to boost your self-confidence

A dental implant has the power to transform the way a person feels about himself/herself. With lack of teeth, a person may feel inferior and they tend to shy away from looking another in the eye. They may also have trouble communicating trying to keep their mouth partially closed so as not to expose their missing tooth or they have the tendency to supress a smile and so on. With dental implants, you will look better, feel more comfortable and your self-esteem and self-confidence would be restored as a result of this

3. Enable you to enjoy food again

Without teeth, you would have difiiculty with biting and chewing and food doesn’t seem to taste as good. Using dentures do not help much as they tend to move and slip while chewing. With dental implants, it’s permantanently fixed and they won’t loosen which means it restores the strength of your bite so that you can practically eat any food without having to worry that it will move, slip or hurt your gums.

4. Help to protect your other teeth

Dental implants don’t sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. Only the empty tooth cavity is dealt with directly leaving the rest of your own teeth untouched. This brings a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!  

5. Help deter further tooth loss

When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth begin to drift, moving into the gap created by the missing tooth.  Over time, this can lead to further tooth loss and other problems. A dental implant in place will prevent this and helps maintain better oral health.

6. Long Lasting and easy to maintain

A dental implant can easily last for 20 years and no special treatments are required to maintain them. They are easy to take care of. All you have to do is just treat them as you would your normal teeth. Brush them well and regularly, using a good brand of toothpaste. Flossing and regular visits to your local dentist where early signs of trouble can be spotted by your dentist and dealt with will keep your dental implants in good condition.

Dental Implants Insurance – Are Dental Implants Covered By Insurance?

Considering that dental implants cost can be exorbitantly high, the thought of having Dental Implants Insurance can definitely give you significant peace of mind, as you need not have to worry when it comes to paying for it when you needed it so badly.  However, even if you do have an insurance policy to cover for dental treatments there are a few things about your coverage that you should be aware of.

What are Dental Implants?

Before we proceed to discuss any further, it’s good to know what’s dental implants and when are they usually recommended.

A dental implant is a replacement for a tooth that has been lost due to an accident, to normal wear and tear, or even to decay.  While you can go around with a gap in your smile, it is not always something that many people would want to be. It is not only aesthetically undesirable but you may also have difficulty in speaking, eating or chewing your food. As such, many people would opt to replace their missing teeth in one way or the other.  You can either do so by using a denture, bridge or dental implants. By far, dental implants is the best option as it provides a natural looking set of artificial teeth that not only look like your real teeth but it also provide normal functions just like your real teeth. 

Unfortunately, dental implants are prohibitively expensive which makes it unaffordable to many who need it.

Does Your Dental Insurance Cover Implants?

One thing you ought to know is that most basic dental insurances do not cover dental implants.  It is important that you check with your individual dental insurance provider to find out if dental implants are included in your insurance coverage.  Usually, as for all cosmetic surgeries, the cost spent on dental implants are not claimable unless it is deemed medically necessary.  However, dental implant packages can be added to your insurance policy if you request for it to be done. But you have to be prepared that adding a dental implant insurance package to your current insurance policy could be quite expensive; and definitely more than what you are paying now. 

How Much Does Dental Implant Insurance Cover?

While some dental implant insurances may cover some of your dental implants costs, it is usually not 100% coverage.

Loss of teeth through reckless behavior (such as not wearing a mouth guard in a physically dangerous sport) is not recognized by insurance companies and as such no claims may be allowed.

However, there are certain situations where you may be able to file for insurance for dental implants, even if your dental insurance does not cover them.  This would include car accidents or injuries that were mostly non-dental in nature (a car accident with broken bones and two knocked out teeth).  The physical injuries inflicted in the accident (including the teeth) could fall under the health insurance parameters, depending on the nature of the accident and who was at fault.  Again, you would have to check with your insurance in order to determine the coverage available in specific situations.

Alternatives to Implant Insurance

While dental implants insurance may be your best bet for making dental implants affordable, it is not your only solution.  Many employers offer a medical savings plan that allows you to put money aside for unforeseen medical and dental expenses.  Many of these allow for the coverage of things like braces and implants as well and can be very helpful in helping to alleviate the cost of implants, especially if your dental insurance does not cover them.

Related articles:

Cost of Dental Implants

Cheap Dental Implants

Dental Implants Abroad

Dental Implants in India – Where You Find Affordable Dental Implants

If you are considering having dental Implants but are hesitant because of the high cost for the procedure, then you might be glad to know that there is a place where you can get it done at affordable cost. Dental Implants in India has been gaining in popularity in recent years because it is well known to offer similar treatment but at a price that is a fraction of the price offered in developed countries in the US and Europe. 

Prior to that, people would have thought that India is merely a tourist spot and little is known of it as a possible destination for medical and dental treatments. But today, it is believed that India has progressed to a level where their both medical and dentistry treatments have been recognized by many as to have reached international standards. 

Dental treatment in India is inexpensive as compared to the western countries. Many of the clinics in India have state to the art equipments and well-trained experienced doctors to match the best of international standards.

Dentists can charge $300 to $400 for a Dental Filling in USA & Europe but in India, it costs only $20 to $40. A Root Canal is $3,000 in the West but only $100 to $200 in India. Dentures can cost $1000 overseas but only $200 in India. As for Dental Implants, surgery alone in the US can cost anywhere from $ 1,250 to $ 3,500, depending upon the amount of damage control to be the done and the dentist one chooses. Throw in other factors like medication, type of material used for implants, follow ups, etc., and the cost can quickly escalate to as much as $ 15,000 to $ 27, 000. This cost can be reduced by as much as 75% when a patient opts for a dental implants in India. And this stands true for Canada and UK as well. 

And to sweeten the deal further, you could often find dental treatment offered package together with a nice package tour where you are put on a guided tour to some of the interesting cities of India. As such, you can go on a vacation and have the cheap dental implant procedure done while you are there. Talk of killing 2 birds with one stone! 

However, do not be surprise when you don’t see a lavishly furnish clinics when you visit one in India. They are mostly small on scale and may be managed by only one dentist and an assistant but they are overall well equipped to carry out most dental treatments. Of course for more complicated cases, it best that you seek treatment in more reputable institutions. Places where you could likely find some good dental clinics based on the numbers of international clients that they received are Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Delhi and Rohtak. 

With the use of Internet, you could easily find out more information on dental implants in India. All dental clinics that are reputable will certainly post information on the Internet about their quality and performance of dental service and dental implant procedures. You can also talk to other people who have experience in having dental works done in India. 

With the ever increasing cost of dental care in the United States, especially for dental implants, it seem like dental tourism to places like India is here to stay!

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Dental Implants- Are they the best dental treatment available?

Dental Implants Abroad

Cheap Dental Implants

Dental Implants Abroad – What You should Know

There is a growing trend of people opting to have their medical and dental procedures like dental implants abroad.  Lets take a look at the possible reasons for this growing trend.

As we all know, health-related costs are continuously rising in the United States and it has become increasingly unaffordable to even those that have insurance, not to mention those that do not. And with the convience of  the use of the internet in seeking for information, many people now realised that there are many places offering first class treatments at a fraction of the cost in their native country. Treatments are done by well qualified and well trained doctors that have gained the recognition of many patients who have flocked to their clinics for treatment from afar. 

Dental implants are considered to be the most effective way to replace missing teeth or fix damaged ones. They are not only superior functionally but also aesthetically. They look more natural then dentures and are longer lasting then veneers which may be used on teeth that are misshapen or out-of-place. They are also more comfortable then bridges and partials. They won’t ever slip, move or wobble this is because implants replace the tooth’s natural root. However, dental implants can be very costly depending on the extent of treatment and the number of teeth to be replaced and they are usually not covered by insurance unless it’s deemed medically necessary.  As such, many are opting to do their dental implants abroad. 

The cost of dental implants will vary depending on where a person travels to have them implanted but on the whole, many countries will be far less expensive than the U.S. One advice for people who are looking to have their dental implants abroad, is that they  should take a closer look at these places and then investigate more closely to see if they would be a good fit before deciding on one.

Now, it is important to note that one overseas doctor isn’t necessarily as good as the next. Therefore, it is crucial that people perform their due diligence before deciding on a dentist or practice. First on the list to look out for is that the dentist that you have chosen should be registered at least in their own country and have the right credentials to perform the job. A doctor who doesn’t have the right credentials or the licenses required in his or her country should never be considered at all. Going to such a dentist would be courting disaster.

You can start off with the use of the internet to investigate overseas dentists. Take a look at their website. Check out their prices and portfolios and it will also be a good idea to “google” a potential candidate to see what other people are saying about them.

Currently, the following countries are popular overseas destinations to have dental implants done: Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and India. These countries are known to offer good medical and dental facilities as well as fully trained doctors and dental surgeons at a much lower cost compared to those charged in US.

 For individuals interested in having their dental implants abroad,  they can also look into medical tourism packages available online for other countries for more information.

Some related articles:

Cheap Dental Implants

Cost of Dental Implants

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental Implant CE Courses – What’s available?

Dental implant CE courses are one of the many Dental CE courses that are available for dentists to keep abreast of new developments within the industry as well as to improve a dentist’s knowledge on various dental procedures. These courses are for general dentists or specialists in all fields of dentistry and it is one way of fulfilling the requirements for continuing education demanded by all states in US.

Dental continuing education courses (CE) may include topics on Cosmetic Dentistry, Digital Photography or Dental Imaging, Academy Accreditation Workshops, Dental Implants Courses, Marketing Dental Courses, Motivational Dental Courses, Occlusion Dental Courses, Periodontal Dental Courses and Practice Management and many more.

There are many dental implants CE courses available. Some can be done online while others are conducted on site whereby you may get hands-on training in addition to the lectures provided. Many of these courses are available that provide flexible schedules suited to your busy schedule. These courses must be ADA C.E.R.P (a service of the American Dental Association created to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers within the field of continuing dental education) approved and include courses such as Basic Implant Placement and Restoration, Advanced Surgical Procedures (dental implant placement and bone grafting), Immediate Loading and Restoration (the esthetic implant).

Dental Implant CE courses can range from the very basics like learning the basics of dental implant procedures and also the restoration of missing teeth by the use of basic implants, mini dental implants, dental bridges, etc. These are usually made for dentists with little to no experience in dental implants but who are keen to start on acquiring these skills.

The more advanced courses are designed for clinicians with some experience, wishing to tone their diagnostic treatment planning and expand their surgical and prosthetic knowledge and skills. Topics covered include: bone spreading, bone grafting, sinus grafting, intra oral onlay block grafting, soft tissue surgery including subepithelial grafting, free gingival grafting and flap manipulation, immediate load implant surgery and immediate extraction and implant placement.

The costs of Dental Implant CE courses may range from about $50.00 for simple basic courses to thousands of dollars usually for the more advanced courses which include a couple of days seminars and hands-on laboratory workshops. Many online courses are available and participants can get unlimited access on all training courses for a monthly fee while some sites even offer free membership.

Dental Implants NHS – Is it Available and What’s the Cost?

The National Health Service (NHS) is a publicly- funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom and has all the necessary dental treatments that you can take advantage of and this include Dental Implants at NHS. 

NHS is the oldest and the biggest healthcare system in the world and their dental treatments include dentures, crowns and dental bridges that are aimed at helping people to maintain oral health, free from periodontal diseases and pain. However, dental implants at NHS or any similar cosmetic dental treatment may only be availed if it is deem clinically necessary.

The reason why dental services offered at NHS is so popular is because having dental works done at NHS can really help you save a lot on your dental charges. This is especially so if you wish to get dental implants done at NHS as this cen be an extremely expensive procedure when done in private clinics. 

Charges at NHS are dependent on the treatment that the dentist prescribes. For most of the procedures done at NHS, you would need to pay only for the first treatment and subsequent visits will be free. There are also some treatments that are free of charge.

Here are the new NHS charges for dental procedures that were implemented in April 2011

Band 1-£17.00

This fee will covers basic examination and diagnosis through a dental X-ray, scaling, polishing plus dental consultation.

Band 2- £47.00

This fee will cover all the procedures in Band 1plus other treatment like filling, root canal treatment and extractions.

Band 3 – £204.00

This covers all the procedures provided in Band 1 and 2 plus more complex procedures like crowning, fixing of dentures and dental bridges.

However, should you meet any of the following criterias, your treatment in NHS will be Free of charge:

• Age under 18 years
• Age 18 and in full-time education
• Pregnant or have given birth within 12 months before the treatment is started.
• An inpatient in NHS where the hospital dentist does the procedure.
• An NHS outpatient at NHS hospital dental services
• A community dental service patient
• Or if gets Income support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
• You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• You are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
• If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate, you may be eligible for partial help with dental costs.

It is easy to take advantage of dental services through the NHS; all you need to do is to call their advice and information number 0845 4647 and someone will attend to your needs especially if it is a medical emergency. If you would like to know more about NHS dental services near you then just go online at NHS’s official website and use their services finder on the initial page.

As mentioned, any dental procedure that is intended to improve the appearance of your teeth and are considered cosmetic procedures may not be entitled for subsidies. If you wish to have your dental implants at NHS, then it is best to consult your dentist first and compare the charges with that offered by the private clinics first before deciding on the most affordable one for yourself.

Dental Implant Bicon vs Traditional Screw Type Implants

You may have heard about dental implant Bicon and is wondering how are they different from the use of traditional screw type implants. Well, the main difference actually lies in their design.

Dental implants have been the solution of choice for replacement of missing teeth for decades. Unlike traditional treatments of crowns, bridges, root canals and dentures, dental implants offer a permanent solution for your missing teeth. However, with the use of the screw type implants, there are limitations. For patients with critical jawbone loss, this may not be a suitable option unless they undergo a bone graft prior to the insertion of the dental implants. But bone grafting is not something that you would look forward to for the following reasons: 

• They are often very expensive
• It is time consuming and it involves a long recovery period of about 6 months to a year before the actual implant can be done.
• There are inherent risks involved like excessive bleeding and possible infections.
• Its often uncomfortable and the pain after the procedure may be overbearing and may last for quite a while.

Dental Implant Bicon on the other can often be done without the need for bone grafting and this is why it has been such a popular choice among dentists since 1985 when it was first introduced.

What sets Bicon dental implants apart from the traditional screw type dental implants is in the way they are designed that gives them the added advantage.

1. They are made with a 1.5 degrees locking taper implant to abutment connection, which not only provides a time-tested stable connection but also provides a proven bacterial seal.

2. The slopping shoulder of the Bicon dental implants enable space for the bone to grow round and over the implant, preventing jawbone atrophy. Occlusal stresses are also more evenly distributed preventing further periodontal destruction.

 3.  The special Bicon plateau design gives 30% more surface area than the screw type implants

This design of dental implant bicon offers the patient and clinician alike the ability to place an implant in edentulous sites where there is minimal bone height, thus not only avoiding the costs and morbidity of bone grafting procedures, but also the costs of just not being able to place an implant. 

With the use of the bicon dental implants, the dental surgeon can avoid vital structures that are often not possible with the use of traditional screw type implants. It stays well away from involving the sinuses and nerves, which are potential risk area that should be, avoid if possible

Overall, dentists who have used the dental implant bicon have all given good reviews of it and very few problems have been reported with its use. 

Dental implant All-on-4 Vs Conventional Dental Implant

The main difference between the conventional dental implant and the use of the dental implant all-on-4 technique lies in the use of the number of dental implants for complete oral rehabilitation. 

Traditional approaches to restoring a full arch of teeth usually involved bone grafts, six or more implants, and as many as 18 months of treatment. That meant that a patient often would be without any teeth or with ill-fitting temporary dentures for more than a year. 

The All-on-4 dental implant procedure on the other hand uses only 4 implants that are placed at an angle of 45 degrees in regions of the mouth that naturally contain a greater volume of atrophy resistant bone tissue. Hence it can be done without the need for bone grafting surgery beforehand and this is also why even patients with advanced jawbone loss, tooth loss and other periodontal disease can be suitable candidates for this special all-on-4 dental implant procedure.

How is Dental Implant All-on-4 done?

There is firstly a consultation and diagnostic appointment prior to the procedure. This is where your dental surgeon will determine the best treatment plan for your case after gathering appropriate information from X-rays, panoramic scans and impressions taken. Molds of the mouth taken will aid in the fabrication of the prosthetic dental bridge that is to be fitted after the implants are inserted. A date for the surgery would then be fixed.

 On the day of the surgery, you would be sedated or anesthetized to make the whole procedure pain free for you. The remaining failing teeth, if any and the unhealthy tissues in the gums or jaw would be removed and cleaned. This is then followed by the insertion of 2 dental implants towards the front of the jaw and another 2 inserted at an angle towards the back of the jaw. Once this is done, the dental bridge is then put into position and you are ready to go with a full set of new teeth in place. 

You would then need to come back for a couple of follow-up appointments to ensure that everything is well with no infection, complications and that healing of the implants is going on well.

Benefits of Dental Implant All-On-4

Here are some advantages of the All-on-4 Dental Implant Technique:

 1. You get to enjoy immediate results in just one day!

With the use of the All-on-4 procedure, you won’t have to wait for months to see the wonderful effect. Patients opting for this technique almost never need to undergo the pain and discomfort associated with bone grafting surgery  and they can save money and time, by avoiding multiple procedures associated with conventional dental implants. This also cuts down on the need for a long recovery period following the conventional dental implants procedure.

The entire procedure can be completed within the same day and patients are able to make use of their new set of teeth immediately.   

2. Unlike the use of dentures, the dental bridge fitted using the all-on-4 technique is fixed in position and there is no need for removal of it after your meals or before bed time. Just like natural teeth, it can be cared for simply by cleaning with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing. You can also save on spending regularly on adhesives, anesthetic gels and other costs associated with wearing removable dentures.

3. The all-on-4 dental bridge does not compromise taste, nor does it trigger the gag reflex as removable dentures tend to.

4. With dentures, there is always the compliant that you can’t bite with force and there is always a problem with slipping of the denture when chewing on food. But with the all-on-4 dental bridge, patients can enjoy all foods without these problems.

5. The All-on-4 technique strengthens the jawbone by preventing restoration of the bone mass. As such,  there is no need to have repeated bridgework done in subsequent years as a result of jawbone atrophy

But what really set Dental Implant All-on-4 apart from all other dental implant techniques and traditional teeth replacement methods is its ability to give patients a full set of beautiful and immediately functional teeth in a single day!

 Related Articles:

Dental Implant Bone Graft

Dental Bridges and Implants

Dental Implant Crown

Dental Implant Bone Graft – When Would You Need A Bone Graft?

When you opt for a dental implant, the first thing that your dentist would check on is whether you have sufficient jaw bone mass to enable an implant to be drilled into. X-rays or CT scan would be done and if it shows that you have thin jawbone, then your dentist would recommend that you have to undergo a dental implant bone graft which will precede the actual implant procedure.

Bone loss may be a result of aging, bone reabsorption due to teeth lost, gum diseases or prolong use of dentures.

Dental Implant Bone Graft – How Is It Done?

Dental implant bone grafts involve the grafting of bone into your jawbone so as to increase its width and depth.

There are basically 4 types of dental implant bone graft and they differ mainly in the source of the bone used for grafting.

 1. Autogenous or Autograft: 

This is by far the most popular and also the one that has the highest success rate among all techniques. The bone is taken from the hip where it is rich in bone marrow and hence has a ready supply of bone cells.

 2. Allografts 

In all aspects, this technique is very similar to Autogenous or autograft bone grafting. However, instead of harvesting the bone from another part of your own body, the bone is obtained from another donor from a “bone bank”.

Before it can grafted into your jawbone, the donated bone has to undergo rigorous checking, testing and sterilization before it can be accepted.  

3. Xenografts: 

In this type of bone grafting, it differs from the previous two mentioned in that the donor bone is harvested from an animal instead of a human donor.

The bones are usually taken from cows where they are tested and sterilized to ensure that they are safe for use and compatible with your bone anatomy and bone composition.

When these animal bones are used, a special protein is given to act as a stimulator whereby your natural bone will be stimulated to grow over it.

 4. Alloplastic: 

Unlike the rest of the other 3 techniques, Alloplastic bone grafting makes use of synthetic materials instead of natural bone. These are made of calcium phosphates that look almost like your natural bone. There are 2 types: the resorbable type whereby the natural bone will eventually replace it and the non-resorbable type which only acts as a platform to hold the implants.

The bone grafting procedure is basically very simple. The dentist will first make a small incision in your gum to expose the jawbone. The harvested bone is then grafted into the area. The whole procedure can be done using only local anesthetics or sedation if needed. Overall, the success rate for dental implant bone graft is very high but you would have to wait for another 3-6months for the jaw to heal before your jaw is ready to take the dental implants.

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Cheap Dental Implants

Dental Implant Brands

Dental Implant Crown

Dental Bridges Vs Implants- Which Is A Better Choice for Replacement of  Your Missing Tooth?

If you are thinking of replacing a missing tooth, you have the option of choosing either a dental bridge or an implant. And the question that is most commonly asked is “Dental bridges vs. Implants – which is better?”

And the choice is clear: Dental Implants 

Why is that so?

 Well the following differences between them listed as follow will explain why dental implants are obviously a better choice over the use of dental bridges.

1. Preservation of the jawbone. 

When dental implants are used, the implants are drilled into the jawbone to serve as a strong anchor point for the crown to be attached at a later stage. As such, it will continue to stimulate the jawbone to grow and stay healthy. On the other hand dental bridges make use of the adjacent teeth to cover the area in between where the missing teeth are and it need not be attached to the jawbone directly as in implants. The jawbone in receiving no stimulating pressure from the dental bridges will eventually be reabsorb leading to sunken look on the area of the face where the bridge is attached. 

2. Maintenance of Oral health and hygiene 

When dental bridges are used, teeth on adjacent sides of the area need to be shaved or cut down to act as supports for the dental bridge. In doing so, the healthy teeth may be subjected to some damages leading to possible complications like root canal infection, development of sensitive teeth or decay may occurring around the edges of the bridge. Moreover, daily cleaning or flossing of a bridge is not an easy task, which can be very tiresome.

Dental implants do not affect the remaining healthy teeth, which are left intact and cleaning, or flossing of the individual implants is much easier just like you would do to clean or floss your own healthy teeth.

 3. Durability 

In terms of durability, dental implants can last much longer than dental bridges. Dental bridges are reliant on the adjacent teeth to keep it in place. However, natural teeth are still vulnerable to decay or any other diseases and when this happens, the stability of the bridge would be affected and may need to be changed. On average, dental bridges can last for about 10 years. Dental implants, since they are not reliant on the remaining teeth to keep them in place, they are spare of an early replacement no matter what happens to the other teeth. Dental implants are made of titanium and are free from the effects of diseases making them able to last a lifetime. 

4. Aesthetics Reason 

Dental implants are more aesthetic both in retaining the patient’s natural appearance within their mouth and also their overall facial structure. A dental implant can easily be made to look like it is growing out of the gum, so that it looks completely natural. Often, this illusion can also be created with bridges. 

5. Level of skills needed

 Placing a dental bridge doesn’t require any specialized training for the dentist. All dentists are trained in dental school in how to place them. Dental implants, however, require special training that many dentists need to obtain through continuing education. 

6. Cost 

On comparison, the price for a dental bridge is cheaper than a dental implant. However, because a dental implant can last much longer than a dental bridge, the cost of having a dental implant is actually lower than a dental bridge.

 7. Flexibility in treatment plan.

 To do a dental bridge, you would need the presence of adjacent teeth to support the bridge. As a result, if there were no teeth around the area, a dental bridge would not be an option of treatment. Dental Implant on the other hand can be fixed regardless of whether there is teeth around the region or not as the implants are drilled directly into the jawbone to provide support. As such, dental implant would be more flexible and can be an option of treatment in any location within your mouth.

 Dental Bridges vs. Implants – the choice is pretty obvious with the reasons stated above!

You may like to check on the following articles on Dental Implants as well:

1. Cost of Dental Implants

2. Dental Implant Procedure

3. Mini Dental Implants

Dental Implant Crown – Which is The Best?

What is a Dental Implant Crown ? I heard you asking. 

 In General, a dental crown is actually a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth — covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. 

The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

In the case of dental implants, the crown serve to cover the implants embedded within the jawbone.

What types of dental Implant crowns are available?

Basically there are 4 main types of dental crowns available. They are:

1. Metals Crowns: 

These types of crowns can be made with gold alloy, palladium alloy and any other metal alloys. They can also be made of base-metal alloy like nickel and chromium. These are very strong crowns that can withstand biting and chewing forces very well. They do not corrode and can last for a very long time. However, the main drawback in using metal crowns is their colors (which just doesn’t match with the natural color of our teeth) and as such they are usually reserved for use only for out-of-sight location within the mouth like where the molars are. Also, the use of nickel base metal crowns may also provoke metal allergy in the mouth of some patients.

 2. Porcelain Fused to Metal 

The porcelain fused to metal type of crowns is considered a hybrid of other types of crowns. They are basically made up of 2 parts. A base that is made of metal alloy and an upper part that is made of porcelain. Which make sense since the base will be the part that fits onto the tooth and the metal alloy would provide a strong hold while the upper porcelain top would be more natural giving a white tooth-like coloration. As with the use of metal crowns, the porcelain fused to metal may also cause metal allergy in some individuals. 

3. All Resin Crowns

All-resin dental crowns are less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. 

4. All-ceramic or all-porcelain Crowns 

The all ceramic or all porcelain dental crowns has the advantage that they resemble the look of our natural tooth and hence are more lifelike as compared to using the porcelain fused to metal dental crowns. One problem with the use of porcelain fused in metal crowns is the appearance of darkness on the tooth especially along the gum lines. But with the use of the all ceramic or all porcelain crowns, this does not happen.

Overall, the all porcelain or all ceramic crowns provide the best natural color match in comparison to all other types of crowns. As there is no metal component in these types of crowns, they are suitable for people who are prone to metal allergies as well. They are the best choice for front teeth crowning.

One drawback though is that these types of crowns are not as strong as the porcelain fused in metal type of crowns and they tend to chip easily as well as wearing down adjacent teeth more than the resin or metal crowns. They also tend to last not as long as the porcelain fused in metal or the metal crowns. At most 15 years.

The cost of a dental implant crown varies widely depending on the type of material used, the location and complexity of the procedure as well as the level of skills required of the dental surgeon. Typically cost of a crown for a tooth cost between $500 to $3000. For all porcelain or the all-ceramic crowns, it cost relatively more as it requires a higher level of skills and longer time as compared to the metal or porcelain fused in metal type of dental implant crown.

You may want to check out on the other dental implants articles:

Cost of Dental Implants

Dental Implant Procedure

Mini Dental Implants