Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
According to the American College of Prosthodontists (the Society for Dentists whose area of specialization is replacing teeth), over 120 million people in America are missing at least one permanent tooth other than wisdom teeth that were pulled. This number grows higher with age, as does the total average number of teeth lost.
The consequences of missing teeth can be grim: missing teeth greatly increase the risk of periodontal disease, and periodontal disease boosts the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and oral cancer. In pregnant people, periodontal disease can increase the risk of premature birth and low-birthweight babies. Moreover, a missing tooth can cause a shift in alignment, which can make eating foods more difficult, affect speech, and can put a strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the skull. This is the joint that allows the mouth to open and close, and stress on it can make drinking, swallowing, speaking, or even yawning painful. Finally, a prominent missing tooth (such as one in the front) can alter the appearance and make a person self-conscious.
For all these reasons, dentists will almost always recommend replacing teeth that have been lost. If only a single tooth is missing, a dentist may suggest a dental implant. Dental implants have a lot of advantages: they reduce the risk of decay and periodontal disease, keep the teeth aligned, and even perform the same function as a tooth when it comes to the jaw, which can prevent bone loss. Yet it should be noted that dental implants are on the expensive side, ranging anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. Why are these procedures so costly? Basically, there are two reasons.
Dental implant – steps
Dental implants are not installed in a single procedure. Instead, the installation happens over multiple visits, often with weeks or even months between each step.
Almost always, the process occurs in three or four stages:
- Bone graft
The jaw is prepared and strengthened for the implant by a bone graft. This step is not always necessary; it typically occurs if there is advanced decay, or if the tooth is lost by trauma. It can take several months for the jaw to heal and be ready for the next step.
- Implantation
Once the jaw has been conditioned, the bone is drilled to make a “root” for the base of the replacement tooth. The bottom of this base resembles a screw, and the whole thing is usually made from titanium alloys. This base is what is specifically referred to as an “implant,” as it is what is implanted.
Again, a period of some months will elapse to allow for the jaw to heal and the implant to merge with the bone (“osseointegration”). In the meantime, a temporary cap is placed over the base.
- Abutment
Once osseointegration is complete, the implant is now ready for an abutment, a peg-like appliance onto which the crown will be placed. This step can be undertaken at the same time as implantation, though many oral surgeons prefer to do these as separate procedures. At any rate, the gums need to heal fully before the final stage.
- Crown
As the final step, a dental crown is attached to the abutment. The crown is essentially a synthetic tooth (or at least the part of the tooth above the gum line) which assumes the role of the missing tooth in smiling, speaking, chewing, and maintaining alignment.
The multiple appointments required by dental implants are a large part of the cost. This is especially true because many of these steps require anesthesia and perhaps sedation, which adds to the expense.
Dental implant – materials
In addition to the costs of performing the installation, the other significant portion of the cost of implants is the actual materials used in the process. This includes the implant and the abutment, which are usually created from titanium alloy. Often, these have to be custom-made to ensure the best possible fit with the patient’s mouth since every mouth is unique.
Further is the cost of the crown. These, too, are custom-made from materials like Zirconium Dioxide or Lithium Disilicate glass (sometimes known by the brand name E. Max.). Moreover, crowns can be attached to the abutment either with screws or dental cement; each has its own particular technique for installation, requiring different materials.
For all these reasons, dental implants can be costly. However, they provide many advantages that other forms of tooth replacement do not. A consultation with a dentist will always be the best bet for finding out whether implants are the best solution for replacing a missing tooth.