Patients in Indianapolis ask, “Are dental implants affordable?”
If you are missing teeth, chances are that you’ve at least heard about bridges, dentures, and dental implants. While many people are familiar with dentures and bridges, not many have a complete understanding of dental implants.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are replacements for the natural tooth roots. When a tooth is lost, whether it’s due to trauma, decay, or extraction, the tooth root is also lost. Without a root in place, the jaw may go through bone resorption, which is a deterioration and loss of the bone. When this happens, remaining teeth may be at risk for shifting out of place or even falling out. Bone resorption can affect the appearance of the face. If you’ve ever seen a senior citizen who has no teeth, you are probably familiar with the sunken/aged appearance that missing teeth can give a person.
Dental implants are titanium rods that are placed into the jawbone to replace the missing root. Titanium is a common medical material used in many orthopedic procedures. Once the implants are in place, they are left to heal for a period of several months. During the healing process, the jawbone will fuse around the implant, creating stability for the completed restoration. Once the healing process is complete, patients can come back for the attachment of their dental prosthetic. Dental implants can be used for one tooth and topped with a dental crown, or can be used to stabilize full dentures.
We recommend dental implants to our patients in many situations. This is because they are extremely stable and can last a lifetime. Once implants are in place, patients can bite, chew, and speak as efficiently as they did with their natural teeth.
Candidates for dental implants must have good oral health and be free of gum disease or decay. Additionally, bone structure of the jaw must be sufficient to support the implant. In some cases of severe periodontal disease or bone resorption, bone grafts can be done first in order for a patient to receive dental implants.
Many patients question the affordability of dental implants during the consultation. At Washington Street Dentistry, we work with our patients and insurance providers to come up with a solution that is convenient and affordable.
To learn more about dental implants and determine if they are the right choice for you, call our office at (317) 333-6788. We happily serve patients in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding communities.
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