Dental health is important, but it can be confusing to juggle options and costs. If you’re missing teeth it can be a challenge to chew food and your self-confidence can suffer. Upwards of 170 million people in America are missing teeth and 40 million have no teeth at all, according to the American College of Prosthodontists.¹ Dentures can help a little, sure, but that’s no permanent solution. That’s where dental implants come in. Dental implants are an effective and robust solution to replacing missing teeth and restoring a beautiful smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
Never heard of dental implants? They are an effective solution for a number of dental issues. For many, the idea of going to the dentist and getting drilled is enough to scare them away from getting treatment altogether. But if you’re facing long-term dental problems such as cavities, dental decay, or missing teeth, the consequences of not getting fixed can be harsh. It becomes harder to eat. It hurts our appearance. And worse, one missing tooth can soon become five missing teeth. But there is a solution: dental implants.
Dental implants are made from titanium and are surgically implanted into your jawbone. They’ve been getting much more popular over the years and for good reason: they’re more affordable and they have a very high success rate. And they’re certainly better than dealing with dentures or trying to live with missing teeth.²
A Growing Phenomenon
Upwards of three million Americans currently have dental implants, and an average of 500,000 per year get them put in.³ The more that people become educated on the benefits of dental implants the more that number should keep increasing.
What’s better is that technological improvements have made dental implants more affordable than ever. Although they still aren’t cheap, the health and appearance benefits more than compensate.
Having nice new teeth and a bright smile will take you a long way in life. As the song goes: you’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile. Having bridge work done or using dentures is not a permanent solution and teeth often get damaged or have other complications in the process.
Dental implants bring back the kind of teeth most people only had as a younger person. They are made from a kind of titanium material that is like that used for hip and knee replacements. It fuses with the jawbone and is very compatible with people’s bodies. Dental implants can be an especially attractive option for today’s seniors. In the past, there were some difficulties in doing the procedure on seniors. But current dental implant procedures are easier and more suited to elderly people.
Technological Advancements in Dental Implants
One reason that prices are also going down is due to advancements in imaging and computer programs that are used in the surgery. Another area of science that touches on dental implants is nanotechnology, which is letting surgeons more precisely mold the new dental implant teeth to the missing area of the patient’s mouth. It is also helping to minimize chances of infection.⁴
While it is true that most standard dental insurance will not cover the cost of dental implants, there are many clinics which will let you pay off the cost month by month.
Getting Started with Dental Implants
There are many options when it comes to finding a local clinic that will do the work for a reasonable price. By searching online you’ll be able to easily find what is available near you. It won’t be long before you’ll be all set with dental implants and a charming new smile.
[1] https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/ACP_Talking_points_for_Missing_Teeth_1-12-15.pdf
[2] https://www.dentaly.org/us/cheap-dental-implants/
[3] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-dentalimplants-patient-percept/patients-can-spot-trouble-with-new-dental-implants-idUSKCN0PJ2GQ20150709
[4] https://nano-magazine.com/news/2016/11/26/growth-of-nanotechnology-dental-implant-market-is-due-to-lower-failure-rate-of-dental-implants