Everything You Should Know Before Getting Dental Implants - Smile Prep (2024)

Roughly 120 million Americans have lost at least one adult tooth, and about 36 million don’t have any teeth at all. The gaps left behind are more than just aesthetic concerns; they can cause problems ranging from tooth migration to bone loss.

The long-standing solution to missing teeth is dentures, but since dental implants have gone mainstream, more and more people are getting them as a permanent solution. But despite their popularity, a lot of people are still in the dark on how they work. That’s why we’ve put together this primer, covering all the key details you need to know.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are permanent replacements for missing teeth. They usually consist of three parts: a screw that functions as a root, an abutment that attaches to the screw, and a false tooth crown that attaches to the abutment.

In most cases, the dentist surgically implants the screw into the jawbone and, over about six months, the bone fuses to it, firming it in place. That’s why many people prefer them to dentures — they’re firmly rooted in place and won’t slip out.

The crown is the only part of the implant that you can see (though gum recession can reveal the post). Dentists customize it to look natural next to your remaining teeth, matching them in color, size, and shape.

Just because you have missing teeth doesn’t mean you’re a candidate for dental implants. The number one reason people don’t qualify is bone loss. In some cases, bone grafting can address it, but not always. Patients also need to be old enough that their bones have finished developing, so many practices will not offer dental implants to anyone under 18.

Types of Dental Implants

There is a lot of hype around dental implants, but not a lot of talk about the different forms available. Dentists typically only offer one type for all patients. But from how they’re implanted to the way they’re used, there is actually a lot of variety in the world of dental implants.

Endosteal Implants

This is the most common type of dental implant. Surgically embedded into the jawbone, it relies on the bone fusing to the screw for support. Doctors will choose this placement for its reliability and functionality, but since you need to have enough bone for it to work, and not everyone is open to jaw surgery, some people require alternatives.

Subperiosteal Implants

This type of implant avoids surgical alteration to the jawbone. Instead, it is embedded into the gum and rests just above the bone. The gum heals around it to hold it in place. It’s strong, but not nearly as strong as fusing it to the bone. It can be a good alternative if you don’t have enough jawbone for endosteal implants, but most people with bone loss also have issues with their gums. It’s possible neither will be viable.

Zygomatic Implants

While not very common, zygomatic implants avoid the jawbone without sacrificing strength. Rather than anchoring them into the jaw, dentists place them on the cheekbone. This is a much more complicated surgery and, because of the angles required, has a higher risk of complications and rejection.

All-on-Four, All-on-Six

This approach to dental implants combines them with other prosthetic teeth — sometimes removable dentures and sometimes fixed ones. Their names come from the number of implants placed — four or six. These implants function as posts that support the dentures, allowing the patient to replace an entire mouth of teeth at minimal cost and in minimal time.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

There is a lot to love about dental implants, but they aren’t perfect. Besides the possibility of not being a good fit for them, there are risks related to surgery and the implants themselves. Still, for most people, the trade-off of having a prosthetic that functions the same as the natural tooth is worth it. To help you determine if this is the case for you, below are the biggest pros and cons of dental implants.

What Does The Process Entail?

Dental implant procedures vary between implant types, patients, and doctors. However, most of the time, they follow a standard playbook. Below are the typical steps you can expect when getting dental implants.

Initial Exam and Planning

Your dentist will start by completing a thorough exam of your teeth, gums, and bones. They will also look at your general health history. The goal is to assess whether you are healthy enough for surgery and a good candidate for implants — and if you are, which type of implants will be best for your anatomy. Expect a visual examination, X-rays, 3D scans, and possibly a CT scan.

If the full assessment determines you could benefit from dental implants, the next step is planning. Your doctor will help you choose implant color and shape, plus walk you through various options — for example, combining implants with dentures or opting for all implants.

Extractions and Other Prep

Sometimes, people seek dental implants after they’ve lost their teeth. Other times, they see the writing on the wall and decide to replace their damaged or decayed teeth. Dentists can perform extractions before the implant surgery or the same day, depending on your condition and preferences.

You may require other forms of prep before getting dental implants, ranging from crowns on salvageable teeth to orthodontic treatment to make room for the implants. If you have low bone density, you also might need a bone graft. Your dentist should outline all the prep you’ll need and the timeline during the planning appointment.

Dental Implant Insertion

Once the prep and healing are complete, it’s time to place the implants. For the procedure, dentists usually use local anesthetic or sedation, though they may use general anesthesia in some cases. Typically, they’ll just place the root first, then give you temporary dentures to wear in the meantime, hiding the screws from view and allowing the tissues to heal.

Adding Abutments and Crowns

After about 4–6 months of healing, the bone should have grown enough around the root to stabilize it. At this point, the dentist will add your abutment. The gum tissue will need to close around the edges of the abutment, without the tissue growing over it. It usually takes around 4–6 weeks for the gum tissue to heal properly.

With the gum and bone healed, it’s time to add the crown. The dentist will attach it to the abutment, marking the final step of the dental implant process. Once it is securely attached, you can treat your dental implant just like a natural tooth.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

There is no universal cost for dental implants. Speak to two dentists about the same type and number of implants and you’ll likely get two different prices. With that said, the typical price range for a single-tooth implant is between $1,500 and $6,000. Most dentists charge more for the first tooth since they often build surgical fees into its cost. Subsequent dental implants tend to cost less if the dentist places them simultaneously.

Keep in mind that this is just the cost for the surgery itself. The initial consultation, diagnostics, and prep are all separate expenses that can add thousands of dollars to your total.

If you need specialized dental implant procedures, these will often have their own price tags rather than paying per tooth. For example, the all-on-4 is a denture or bridge supported by four implants, and it usually costs $20,000–$26,000. All-on-6 is similar, except it contains six implants and often costs $30,000–$36,000.

No matter what, dental implants are expensive. If you have a dental policy, your insurance company might cover a portion of the cost — usually 50% or less. You can also use HSA and FSA funds. Still, even after insurance and savings account funds, the out-of-pocket costs will likely be thousands of dollars. Talk to your dentist about their payment plans and other financing options if you cannot afford treatment outright.

What Is It Like To Have Dental Implants?

Part of dental implants’ beauty is that you treat them like any other tooth — at least, that’s the case once everything is healed and the crown is in place. Still, there are things to keep in mind about life with dental implants if you want to make the most of your experience.

The Adjustment Period

If you’ve ever had a dental restoration, you know that you have to get used to the different sensations in your mouth, as well as any soreness or pain that accompanies the treatment. With implants, you go through this adjustment period multiple times — with extractions and other prep (if necessary), after the root placement, when the abutment is added, and when you finally get the crown. Most people fully adjust to each change within 1–3 weeks.

Eating

While healing, you have to avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods, since they can affect your implant root placement and the way your gums heal around the abutment. Spicy, very hot, and very cold foods can also cause pain, although it’s rare that they do any long-term damage.

Once you have your crown, you can eat like normal. Just be careful with anything hard enough to break it or that might excessively pull on it.

Dental Hygiene

While the causes of tooth loss vary, poor dental hygiene often plays a role. When you have dental implants, you can’t be lax with your daily oral care routine. Brushing and flossing twice a day is essential, as are your twice-yearly dental appointments. Going backward in your dental hygiene increases the likelihood of gum disease, bone loss, and implant failure.

Signs of Problems

For most people, dental implants are smooth sailing once everything has healed and the crown is in place. However, problems can arise at any time. Below are signs that something is wrong and you should see your dentist.

• Cracks in or worn spots on the crown
• A change in fit or bite
• Red or swollen gums around the implant
• Bleeding when brushing around the implant
• Implants that feel loose or wobble after healing is complete
• Chronic bad breath
• Visible threads

Alternatives To Dental Implants

If implants aren’t for you — because of your bone density, overall health, or the sheer cost — you should look into dentures and bridges for your missing teeth. Dentures can work even if you don’t have a single tooth left, while bridges are specifically for closing gaps between remaining teeth.

Neither lasts quite as long as dental implants, plus both are slightly more delicate and functionally limited. However, they work well for most people. Go with dentures if you like the idea of a removable appliance and opt for bridges if you want something that is fixed in place.

If you’re not sold on implants, dentures, or bridges, snap-on veneers are another option to consider. They’re removable appliances that cover most or all of the teeth in an arch, hiding gaps plus other aesthetic concerns. They’re generally the most affordable way to hide missing teeth and only require some cleaning each day, plus periodic replacement.

But snap-on veneers have limitations to keep this in mind when considering them as a dental implant alternative. First, they don’t replace the function of natural teeth; they can help with speech, but eating with them is a delicate issue, and impossible with some models. Second, they don’t stimulate the jawbone, so you are likely to experience bone loss where you’re missing teeth. If possible, use them as an intermittent solution while you wait to get your implants.

Final Thoughts

Dental implants offer natural-looking and functioning replacements for missing teeth. Strong, long-lasting, and customizable, they make it easy to reach your smile goals — as long as you’re a candidate and have the funds to get them.

Just based on their cost, you might need to consider alternatives, though, such as dentures, bridges, and snap-on veneers. Before making a decision, consult with a dentist to see what they feel is the right path for you.