Every year, more and more people are choosing dental implants as the #1 solution for restoring lost teeth. Whether you already have dentures or you’re looking to replace a few missing teeth, dental implants can revive your smile and drastically improve your quality of life.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth.
- Titanium posts are implanted into the jawbone through the tops of the gums, on top of which realistic artificial teeth are attached.
- Titanium is biocompatible meaning that it’s a highly suitable material for implants and medical devices.
- This surgical procedure has a high success rate, and is known to be a safe and effective method of tooth replacement.
- Dental implants are suitable for replacing a single missing tooth or multiple teeth.
- There are different kinds of dental implants to suit different patients’ needs.
- Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular because of the natural looking result and because of how convenient and long lasting they are.
- According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, over 3 million people in the United States now have dental implants.
Types of Implants Offered
Full mouth dental implants replace all teeth using implant-supported bridges or dentures, restoring function and aesthetics permanently.
Snap-on dentures are removable dentures secured to implants with snaps, offering improved stability and comfort compared to traditional dentures.
Partial dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth, secured with clasps to natural teeth, restoring function and appearance.
Commonly referred to as All-On-4™, these dental implants are placed in your mouth to permanently secure a custom-fitted bridge.
Mini dental implants are smaller implants used to stabilize dentures or replace small teeth, offering a less invasive and cost-effective solution.
As the largest provider of tooth implants in the U.S., we are on a mission to ensure our patients have access to the highest quality dental implants at an affordable price.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Protect Existing Teeth and Bone Structure
Gaps in your teeth allow the surrounding teeth to shift. Filling these gaps with a new tooth implant ensures that the rest of your teeth stay in place. These implants are installed directly into the bone, stimulating the bone to grow around the implant to fuse it to the jaw.
Better Feel and Function
Missing or damaged teeth make tasks like eating or speaking difficult, and can cause discomfort. Dental implants are custom, permanent, and feel like real teeth. This allows our patients to eat whatever they want without the loss of grip of regular dentures.
Restored Confidence
It can feel embarrassing to smile with missing or damaged teeth, which can impact your confidence and self-esteem. Dental implants give you a chance at a brand new smile that looks and feels natural.
A Truly Permanent Solution
With proper care, implants themselves can last a lifetime. However, the crown, the artificial tooth affixed to the implant, lasts around 15 to 20 years before replacement may be necessary. Implant failure and rejection can happen, but this is rare.
How long do dental implants last?
With careful maintenance of dental implants, they can last a lifetime.
- The implant itself is permanent once the titanium screw has healed. Patients can help make sure it stays healthy long term by maintaining good oral hygiene to help prevent any complications.
- The crown, or artificial tooth, can last as long as 15 years, and up to 20 if the patient takes good care of it. The crown can be replaced if needed, if it is chipped, cracked, severely stained or damaged in any other way.
- Patients who smoke and those who have gum disease should be aware that they are at an increased risk of developing peri-implantitis, which can threaten the long term success of a dental implant.
- In order to help their dental implants last as long as they can, patients should brush their teeth twice daily and floss once a day, just as they would their natural teeth.
Procedure for Getting Dental Implants
Next, you will visit your local dental practice for the implant procedure. You’ll be given anesthesia, or if you prefer, many of our practices offer sedation dentistry.
Real Patient Reviews
Dental Implants FAQs
Are Dental Implants Painful?
The experience of getting dental implants can vary from person to person, but in general, the procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort during the process. Some people may experience mild discomfort or soreness afterward, which can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medications prescribed by your dentist.
How can implants help denture wearers?
Denture wearers often experience challenges while eating, talking, and interacting with others, and find that their dentures are less secure and predictable than their natural teeth.
Implants allow for a more secure denture solution that will look and feel more natural than regular dentures. Implants also help stimulate bone growth in the jaw that will help retain facial structure and appearance over time. This will prevent any look of premature aging that may come with missing teeth or traditional dentures.
Patients that get our implant procedure have also reported new found confidence in their smiles and an overall increase in their quality of life.
How do implants prevent bone loss?
When you lose a natural tooth, your root will die and the bone around it will begin to deteriorate. In the first year, your jawbone could recede up to a quarter of an inch, leading to loss of facial structure and contributing to the look of premature aging.
Tooth replacement and dental implants can stop bone loss as they act as new support for your remaining teeth. Because they act as a brand new root, the dental implants will also stimulate bone growth when they are inserted. This will help make the overall structure of your teeth stronger and healthier.
Will dental implants look like my natural smile?
Most patients discover that implants are the best available solution for the replacement of missing teeth. Affordable Dentures & Implants practices offer a variety of options to create a new, natural smile that looks great, restores much of your chewing ability and helps to prevent further bone loss. Your dentist can help you determine which solutions are right for you.
At Affordable Dentures & Implants, we utilize our on-site lab to make sure that each denture and implant device is completely custom and fitted to each patient. Patient satisfaction is our number one priority, so we do our best to make sure that we find the best denture solution for each person we help.
Dental implants are known to be the most real looking and natural feeling denture solution on the market, so please reach out to one of our local practices to find out if you may be a qualified candidate.
Can I get a single tooth implant?
Yes - Affordable Dentures & Implants offers a range of implant solutions from single tooth implants to our All-In-One Solution, an implant supported fixed bridge that is the closest to your real teeth.
Are implants expensive?
Implants represent an investment in the long-term health of your jawbone and facial structure, as well as your long-term comfort and confidence in activities like eating, smiling, interacting, and living. While the initial dental implants cost is higher than that of dentures alone, the benefits can be life-changing. Affordable Dentures & Implants offers implants at prices that are often significantly more affordable than those of other providers.
Are implants approved by the FDA?
Yes, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration first approved implants in 1982. They have been offered to patients for decades, and based on rigorous clinical testing, the FDA granted product approval for long-term treatment.
Am I a candidate for implants?
Your overall health, bone density, and other factors help determine if dental implants are right for you. Your Affordable Dentures & Implants dentist will consult with you to determine your best tooth replacement solutions.
Has Affordable Dentures & Implants performed many implant procedures?
Affordable Dentures & Implants dentists care for hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Our affiliated practice network is the single largest provider of implants in the U.S. As a leading implant purchaser, we provide patients with access to affordable prices for implants, while delivering long-term implant solutions for patients. Our affiliated dentists combine intensive training and depth of experience to provide ongoing benefits to implant patients.
What is the downside of dental implants?
While dental implants provide lasting benefits, they require an initial investment, a surgical procedure, and a healing period. At Affordable Dentures & Implants, we guide you through the process, ensuring you understand the steps and care needed for the best outcomes.
Can a dental implant be done in one day?
Same-day dental implants are possible but depend on your dental health and how many teeth need to be replaced. Consult with your local Affordable Dentures & Implants practice to determine if you qualify for same-day implants.
How painful is getting a dental implant?
Getting a dental implant can involve some discomfort, such as swelling and tenderness, but Affordable Dentures & Implants ensures effective pain management throughout the process to keep you comfortable.
What is the failure rate for dental implants?
Dental implants have a high success rate, but risks include infection and implant rejection. At Affordable Dentures & Implants, careful screening, precise placement, and thorough aftercare significantly reduce these risks, ensuring your safety and satisfaction.
How much is a full top set of dental implants?
The cost for a full arch of dental implants typically ranges from $18,000 to $25,000, based on the implant type. Additional costs for services such as extractions, x-rays, and temporary dentures may apply during the implant process. Affordable Dentures & Implants offers an All-In-One solution starting at $18,000 per arch, which covers all necessary services for a seamless experience.
How long after dental implants can I eat normally?
Most people can resume normal eating, drinking, and speaking within a week to ten days after receiving their dental implants. You will want to be cautious of the types of food you eat after getting dental implants, and remember to chew slowly and carefully.
Do you have to go without teeth before getting implants?
After undergoing extractions, it's necessary to wait for the extraction site to heal before proceeding with the dental implant placement. During this healing period, you'll receive a temporary or "immediate" denture to ensure you won't be without teeth until your implant procedure.
What is the best age for dental implants?
It is recommended to wait to get dental implants until after the age of 18, as younger children's jaws and gums will still be developing before this. Implants may also be a bigger risk for very elderly patients who may not be able to go through a surgical procedure. However, if a patient is in good health, they may be cleared at any age after reaching full jaw maturity.
How soon can you get implants after an extraction?
You will have to wait until your swelling is completely gone and your jawbone is totally healed before having an implant placed. This can take up to 2 months depending on how many teeth were extracted and the overal health of your mouth.
Do dental implants get cavities?
Because dental implants are false teeth, they cannot get cavities in them. However, you can still get cavities in your original teeth if you do not properly floss and brush all of your teeth.
Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants are very safe for most people. If you are in overall good health, it’s likely the procedure will be successful. Complications can include infection or implant failure, when the body rejects the implant. People who have certain medical conditions might not be able to safely get dental implants.
How long do dental implants take to heal?
Dental implants can take 3-12 months to fully heal. Osseointegration, when the titanium implant fuses with the jawbone, usually takes 3-6 months. During this stage, patients wear temporary dentures.
Can dental implants be removed?
Dental implants can be removed if necessary if the implant has failed. Easily removable alternatives include traditional dentures or snap-in dentures, which attach to mini implants for a secure fit.
What is an abutment on a dental implant?
An abutment is the metal connector that screws into the top of your implant, onto which the crown is attached. The abutment is fitted after the implant itself heals in the osseointegration process.
Are dental implants permanent?
Yes, dental implants should last for a lifetime once they have healed. The artificial tooth may need replacing in 15-20 years, depending on the level of wear and tear, but this is a simple procedure as the implant itself has already healed and fused with the jawbone.
What are endosteal dental implants?
Endosteal dental implants, small titanium screws that are implanted into the jawbone, are the most common type of implant. Other types of dental implants include mini implants that are less invasive.