Dental implants have success because of the composition of the dental implant surface. Titanium is the main component that leads to the lasting success of the dental implant. Today some implants are also made of zirconium.
After a healing period which allows the bone to grow around and onto the implant surface, the final crown or cap is attached to the implant. These crowns are made using the same procedures as traditional crowns. The materials used to make these crowns are the best that has ever been available.
Dental implant vs Dental Bridge
A dental bridge was a common technique before dental implants were available. A bridge can replace 1 or more teeth. Bridges require the removal of the enamel or outer layer of the tooth on each side of the empty space. One or more teeth on each side of the space are capped or crowned. The replacement teeth are called pontics and are fused to the retainer or anchor teeth. A 3-tooth or 3-unit bridge would have two retainer or anchor teeth on each side of the empty space and one pontic to fill the space. The bridge is permanently cemented. Sometimes the anchor teeth will need to be removed because the root is fractured, or a cavity is too large to fix. If one of the teeth anchor teeth needs to be removed, then the entire bridge usually needs removed.
A single tooth dental implant does not require tooth enamel to be permanently removed from other teeth. The implant is placed where teeth are missing. After a healing period of three to six months, the restorative dentist places the abutment and crown onto the implant. This healing timeline is essential to long-term success. Other teeth are not involved or altered. A dental implant is made of titanium or zirconium which cannot get a dental cavity. This is an advantage of dental implants vs bridges.
Is It Painful?
Dr. Wiland and staff work very hard to limit pain both during and after the dental implant procedures. Patients often experience little to no pain or discomfort. Usually, Tylenol is all that is needed to control discomfort, but stronger medications are available when needed. The amount of pain is related to the amount of work that is accomplished. If the site has enough bone height and width and only requires dental implant placement, then discomfort is minimal. When bone grafting and other more involved procedures are completed, there are several methods to control pain which include the use of pain medication, long-acting anesthetics, ice and minimizing activities. Treatment is customized for each person since not two people are exactly alike, making the experience comfortable and pleasant.
How Long Does an Implant Last?
Implants have over 96% change of lasting the rest of your life. The success rate is lower if you smoke or you have poorly controlled diabetes. Implants must be kept clean to achieve long-term success.
What Are the Implant Parts for One Dental Implant?
The parts for a single dental implant include the dental implant, the abutment, and the crown. A dental implant is the part that is inside of the bone and replaces the root of the tooth. The second part is the abutment that screws inside of the implant after it has healed or integrated with the bone. The abutment is tightened with special instruments to achieve the proper torque. The proper torque allows the abutment to be tightened enough to stay on but also not too tight. The crown is connected or cemented to the abutment. The crown is the replacement for the tooth that was lost. Usually, the restorative dentist will place the abutment and the crown or fake tooth.
What Is the Cost of a Single Dental Implant in Indiana?
The cost of one dental implant can have a wide range. If the area to receive the dental implant has enough height and width of bone, then the cost can be around $3,000.00. This cost is for the dental implant and would not include the abutment or crown. If there is a need to remove a tooth or complete some bone grafting, then the cost of a single implant can be more. However, the implant can last the rest of your life. There is interest free financing available through CareCredit.
What Are the Steps Involved in the Single Tooth Dental Implant Procedure?
- Examination appointment
- Site preparation
- Implant placement
- Healing phase
- Restorative phase
Are Dental Implants Successful?
The success rate of a single tooth implant is over 96%. For a dental implant to be successful, it must be stable with the surrounding bone. Implant stability is tested with a device call the Osstell Beacon+. This advanced piece of technology uses Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) to measures how well an implant has healed before a crown is placed on the implant. You do not need to be numb to use this device. There are more than 1300 studies to support its use. The Osstell Beacon+ is a simple test to determine how well the implant has healed.1. Jung RE, Pjetursson BE, Glauser R, Zembic A, Zwahlen M, Lang NP (February 2008). “A systematic review of the 5-year survival and complication rates of implant-supported single crowns” (PDF).Clinical Oral Implants Research. 19 (2): 119–30. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0501.2007.01453.x. PMID 18067597. S2CID 13599504.
Dr. Wiland is a board certified specialist in the placement of dental implants and places single tooth dental implants at convenient locations in Kokomo, Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana. He enjoys serving the communities of Greenwood, Franklin and Bloomington, Indiana at his Indianapolis southside office. The Richmond, Indiana location has serves Ohio and East Central Indiana. The Kokomo, Indiana location serves the Logansport, Peru, Greentown, Galveston, Tipton and Rochester, Indiana. Schedule a consultation to see if a single tooth dental implant is the right choice for you.
