PRESERVE YOUR TEETH IN NEW YORK CITY
What To Know About Getting Dental Implants
Whenever a tooth is missing, it is important to consider whether it should be replaced. In most cases, there are two primary options: a dental bridge or a dental implant.
Both options have advantages and disadvantages. However, for replacing a single missing tooth, we generally prefer a dental implant.
Is This Your Case?
Are you trying to decide whether to have a dental implant placed? If so, another important question is: Which type of implant will you receive?
There are more than 1,000 dental implant companies worldwide. Many countries, including China and Korea, manufacture dental implants, and prices can vary significantly.
The FDA may only require a manufacturer to demonstrate that its implant is equivalent to an already approved system. As a result, some implants enter the market without the extensive clinical research, scientific documentation, or long-term performance history associated with more established systems.
It is helpful to know which implant system your dentist plans to use. Some low-cost products, commonly called “clone” implants, resemble premium implant designs but may lack the long-term clinical data needed to demonstrate equivalent performance.
Although these implants may cost less initially, questions may remain about how reliably they will perform over time.
The Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are available in different sizes to accommodate the location of the missing tooth and the amount of available bone.
When a tooth is lost or extracted, carefully planning for its replacement is essential. Ideally, the extraction site is preserved with a bone graft at the time the tooth is removed. After evaluating the site, the surgeon can select an appropriate implant to replace the missing tooth.
Following the extraction and bone-grafting procedure, the area generally needs several months to heal. The exact healing period depends on the location of the missing tooth and the type of grafting performed.
Once the site has healed, the implant fixture can be placed. The implant must then undergo osseointegration, the process through which it bonds with the surrounding bone, before the final implant crown can be created.
Check back next week to learn what you should know about dental implant restorations.
