Seniors Dental Implants

Dental implants are a very well known and widely accepted surgical method for prosthetic replacement of missing or damaged teeth. They provide a more natural tooth replacement, as they are artificial teeth that are attached directly to the jawbone and eventually fuse with the bone into which they are attached.

Dental implants are a great way of improving your smile as they provide the best solution to make your teeth look healthy and natural.
You can be a dental implants candidate if: 

  • Your teeth and gums are in overall good health
  • You have missing teeth
  • Your jawbone has stopped growing
  • Your oral tissue is healthy
  • Your teeth and gums are healthy
  • Having good bone support

How much do dental implants cost?

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different. However a single dental implant costs around

$1,500- $2,000 per implant. Some people need only one implant while others need multiple. There are

other costs involved such as the crown (the artificial tooth), the abutment (the part that connects the

implant and the tooth), the office visit costs and the pre-op / post-op care. These extra costs can vary

anywhere from $1,500 – $2,800, bringing the total cost for a single implant to $3,000 – $4,800.

Other factors that can effect the pricing is the region where you are getting it done as well as the dentist who is performing the procedure. 

You should be aware that your dental insurance policy will not cover your dental implants cost. 

Types of Dental Implants

There are two types of dental implants

1.     The endosteal – the most common type of dental implants, refers to one that’s placed in the jawbone

2.     The Subperiosteal – refers to a dental implant type made from a metal structure that placed on your gum tissue above the jawbone.

Process/Recovery

The process of getting a dental implant takes months to complete. Keep in mind that the surgery takes hours to complete and more than one surgery is required. So if you’re not patient, this might not be the procedure for you.

The full recovery time of your jaw from full mouth dental implants varies from person to person but is expected to take around 5 to 9 months. 

What to Expect After the Procedure

Just like any surgery, there will be some discomfort expected following your dental surgery, including:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain at the implant site
  • Bleeding.

You might want to stick to softer foods immediately following the procedure. You can ask your

doctor for pain medicines or antibiotics following your surgery. If your pain increases after a few

days it is recommended to contact your doctor. 

Safety

Dental implants have been carried out successfully for the last 50 years. Research shows a success rate of over 95%. 

However the following safety protocols are recommended for everything to go smoothly:

            1. Putting a plan in place: a surgical dental implant checklist which involves a patient-centered safety climate to prevent errors.

      2. Developing safety instructions for patients and the dentist to adhere to.

      3. Patients and team members should share their dental implant experience for collective learning and risk prevention.

      4.  Use appropriate diagnostics to help implant cases and obtain the patients’ permission for any proposed treatment. 

      5.  Practice excellent oral hygiene.

      6. See your dentist regularly.

      7. Avoid damaging habits such as chewing ice and hard candy. Also, avoid foods and drinks that stain such as coffee and tea, red wine, blueberries, etc.