Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most effective dental restorations, allowing patients to fully recover their speaking and chewing abilities and improve their quality of life. However, patients are often unsure about getting this treatment, filled with questions like how long the process will take or what the average cost of dental implants in Alabama is.

Informing yourself before a dental procedure is important to ensure its success and to feel confident every step of the way. Here are some frequently asked questions about dental implants to help you get to know this treatment better—and make a decision you won’t regret later on!

What Are Dental Implants?

The dental implant is a restorative dentistry procedure that allows patients to restore one or several teeth. They can attach a single crown, a partial denture, a full overdenture, or an All-on-4®. This allows even patients who have severe tooth loss to fully restore their smile with a stable and long-lasting solution.

Implants have a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone, allowing them to become firmly anchored in the jawbone and providing a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

What Are the Parts of a Dental Implant?

There are three main parts of a dental implant:

• The post, also known as the implant, is the component surgically inserted into the jawbone. Usually composed of titanium or titanium alloy, it fuses with the bone.  

• The piece connecting the implant and crown is called the abutment. It is typically made of titanium, zirconia, or other materials.  

• The visible portion of the dental implant that resembles a natural tooth is called the crown. It is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding natural teeth because it is specially made to match their size, shape, and color.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Since dental implants form a direct bond with the jawbone, they are meant to be permanent. However, while the implant itself is meant to last forever, normal wear and tear may require the crown that is attached to it to be replaced. In 15 to 20 years, between 50 and 80 percent of crowns may require replacement.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Generally, most people are good candidates for dental implants, but having enough bone quality and quantity to anchor the implants is a requirement. If not, the chances of implant failure and infection are higher. Additionally, enjoying good oral health and being free of gum disease is a must.

Candidates need to be committed to maintaining good oral hygiene during the procedure, too, and quit harmful habits like smoking and alcohol consumption.

How Can You Find Out If You’re a Candidate?

To assess whether or not you’re a good candidate and maximize the chance of success, we use several imaging tools such as cone beam or CBCT 3-D imaging. This allows us to observe all anatomical structures, including nerves, arteries, bones, and muscles, assess your health, and help create the safest possible implant procedure.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants offer several advantages over other dental procedures:

• Restore full chewing ability, enabling patients to enjoy all types of food without discomfort or slipping.

• Stimulates the jawbone similarly to natural teeth, preventing bone loss that typically follows tooth extraction.

• Helps preserve facial structure and avoid the "sunken" appearance caused by prolonged edentulism (tooth loss).

• Unlike dental bridges, implants don’t rely on adjacent teeth for support, which protects healthy teeth from being reshaped or weakened.

• Easier to clean than complex restorations, promoting better long-term oral hygiene.

• With proper care, implants can last 20 years or more, often a lifetime.

• Highly resistant to decay and other common dental issues.

• No slippage or clicking, as may occur with removable dentures.

• Restores self-esteem and comfort in social situations, especially while speaking or laughing.

Why Is Replacing a Missing Tooth Important?

Losing an adult tooth can be challenging, but it’ll also be harmful to your oral health. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding ones will start to shift towards the available space, affecting your bite. A misaligned bite is harder to clean, making it more prone to tooth decay—but it can also cause jawbone joint issues such as TMJ disorder and jaw clicking.

Tooth loss can also trigger a natural process known as bone resorption. When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the surrounding bone no longer receives the stimulation it needs from chewing forces, leading to gradual resorption. This causes the minerals in the bone, such as calcium, to be released into the bloodstream.

In the long run, this can lead to further tooth loss, skin sagging around the mouth area, and an overall older look.

How Fast Is the Bone Resorption Process?

Bone resorption begins rapidly and continues for years. Approximately 50% of the bone may be lost in the first year, and then the resorption process continues at a slower pace, approximately 1% per year.

To prevent this, replacing your tooth promptly is crucial.

What’s the Average Cost of Dental Implants?  

The total cost of an implant procedure depends on several factors, from the number of implants you’re getting to whether or not you need a bone graft too. In Alabama, the average cost of dental implants ranges from $1,500 to $6,000 for a single implant, including the post, abutment, and crown.

However, implants are a very cost-effective treatment, as they’re designed to withstand several years. Additionally, cost shouldn’t be an indicator when looking for the right implant provider for you: a failed implant will require extraction, a bone graft to restore your jawbone, and a new implant surgery, easily putting a strain on your finances.

When looking for a dental office you can trust, look at their qualifications, their staff, and any reviews from former patients.

Understand the Average Cost of Dental Implants in Alabama and Explore Your Possibilities

Dental implants offer a long-term, highly effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Their benefits go beyond aesthetics, supporting oral health, function, and even emotional well-being. Still, educating ourselves on all the details of a dental procedure beforehand is crucial to maximize the chances of success.

Here at Willis Dental Care, we want to accompany you through every dental journey with respect and empathy. If you’re considering a dental implant procedure or have any doubts, contact us today!

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