Dental Implants – Your Long-Term Solution to Missing Tooth

Losing teeth to cavities, accidents or falls can be the biggest nightmare one could have. If one of our front teeth just pops out from its place, it’s pretty sure that most of us would stay indoors in hiding. Our teeth not only help with eating but has harboured a lot of our self-confidence. We never think twice before giving a cheesy smile to the cameras. This is possible because we are confident in our smile and the fact that we have beautiful teeth, sparkling and in-tact. Now, what’s the way if you were to lose a tooth? Dismay, despair and tears are for sure. Unlike yesteryears, today there are plenty of options available for replacing a lost tooth. Cosmetic practice can give natural-looking and strong teeth-like replacements that will keep all worry away. One such impeccable cosmetic solution to teeth loss is Dental Implants.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are prosthetics for teeth that are made of titanium, they mimic the natural teeth and are highly functional. They come with a root that provides a firm hold for the implant and can be the permanent solution to teeth loss. Most dental implants can be used for a lifetime if proper hygiene and maintenance is ensured. There is a success rate of 95% and above with dental implants that makes it a much-relied on treatment option.  

Dental Implant Procedure Steps

The dental implant procedure would need a minimum of three visits to the doctor. In the first phase of consultation, the doctor would explain in detail about the procedure and might ask one to take an x-ray to understand your chances of success with a dental implant. The doctor would also check if you are in good health without any medical disorders that could potentially be a risk factor. In the second phase of consultation, the doctor would place the root of the implant. This is done to help the jawbone hold the implant and for the gum to heal. After a few weeks the titanium of the root will gel well with the jaw bone making it firm to hold the tooth. An abutment to hold the new tooth is fixed and then the crown is placed. While this being done, patients could experience pain, swelling and discomfort. The doctor would suggest to take medications and have food that enables healing. Some of which are cold food, soups and soft eatables.   

Dental implant in India have been in use since the 1970s. Though the procedure is completely safe, it comes with some risks such as infection, foreign object rejection, bleeding, tissue damage and others. It is important to assess your risk factors by disclosing all existing medical conditions with your doctor. A dental implant treatment might not be the right procedure for individuals with diabetes, blood pressure, cancer and heart diseases. Dental implant surgery is quite a complex procedure and must be done by a highly skilled doctor to avoid any risks or complications.

Regular oral hygiene that patients follow would be good enough to keep the implants clean. Regular brushing of the teeth with soft bristle brush twice a day, using a dental floss and antibacterial mouthwash, avoiding smoking and hard food can help with the implant’s longevity.

Benefits of Dental Implants

A dental implant provides benefit such as

• No discomfort or pain once healed, the person would feel the implant functioning like a real tooth
• No difficulty in speech or eating
• No demanding oral hygiene
• Seamless appearance, providing very good comfort to the patient 

Bone Graft for Dental Implants

In some cases, there would not be enough bone that would fuse and hold the root firmly. A bone grafting might be needed to help build the bone.  Usually it is done by the use of an artificial material or by taking a section of the bone from a donor region.

Dental Implant Cost in India

Exact cost of dental implant in India depends on various factors such as the material, the size and the design of the implant. On an average, a dental implant would cost between INR 30k to 50k. In Chennai, it would be INR 30k and above for dental implant cost for one tooth. Dental implant prices vary largely based on the country you are getting treated in. India does offer some of the best dental implant specialists and the best price for dental implants.

Dental Implant Reviews

Patients often describe of having a pleasant experience with dental implants. There is no issue with talking or eating once the implant is in place and the patient has completely recovered. All the more since this is a long term solution, patients do consider it value for money and time.

Dental Implants vs Bridge

Dental implants are longer lasting (up to 15 years or more), natural looking and offer best experience mimicking the natural teeth. The downside is the longer time for treatment, the expense and surgical complications since it is an invasive procedure.

Dental bridge does not require any invasive procedure or bone grafting. The new tooth is placed with support from the neighboring teeth. Dental bridges last for up to 7 years but tend to lose the natural look of the teeth with time. There can also be concerns of the surrounding teeth being damaged or weakened.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How much does a Dental Implant Cost for one Tooth?

The cost of a dental implant in India ranges between INR 35k to 65k depending on the size, shape and material of the implant.

• What is the Downside of Dental Implants?

Dental implants do come with a set of risks that the patient must be aware of before the procedure. Some of these include

• Chances of infection
• Bleeding
• Tissue or nerve damage if the procedure is done inappropriately
• Chances that the implants might lose its functionality
• Though rare, sometimes the body might reject foreign objects

• How painful is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are performed under the administration of a sedative drug or anesthesia and hence there is minimal pain or discomfort to the patient. Patients are given medications to help with recovery and to reduce any pain.

• Does food get under Dental Implants?

Food does not usually get under dental implants. They are placed to completely fill the space of the missing tooth and therefore there is no scope for food getting stuck. If at all one experiences food getting on the dental implant, it means the procedure was not done correctly. A dentist could fit it back in place with a small replacement.

• Do gums grow around Implants?

Yes, gums do grow around the dental implants. Sometimes a crown is placed on an implant to limit the growth of gums.

• How long does it take for Dental Implants to heal?

All the pain and discomfort caused by dental implants heal in a week’s time. However, it might take a little over 6 months for the implants to feel completely healed and secure like real tooth.

• Who is not suitable for Dental Implants?

A person might not be eligible to get dental implants if he/she has other health problems. Some of which include heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, reactions to drugs, cancer and more.

• Why Dental Implants are so Expensive?

Dental implants are expensive since it’s a complex procedure and the dentist’s skills highly play an important role. Other factors that include the type of material used, the shape and size of the implant.

• Can Dental Implants be done in One Day?

Yes, dental implants can be completed in just one day. A doctor would take close to 2 hours for fixing the implant. Patients can be sure of a fast and well-done procedure in just a few hours and can get complete recovery.

• Is there a cheaper alternative to dental implants?

The cheaper alternative to getting a dental implant is to get a dental bridge. This procedure involves having a fake tooth which is supported by the teeth on either sides.

• How long does a Dental Implant Procedure take?

The dental implant procedure is done in phases. At first, the patient must visit the dentist for a thorough consultation. Post assessment of the patient’s fitness levels, the dentist will schedule a day for fixing the dental root. And once that is healed in a couple of weeks, the tooth will be placed. In All, the procedure would require multiple consultations that are weeks apart.

• Are Teeth Implants worth it?

Dental implants are worth the money and pain since it’s a long term solution that can last for a lifetime. It gives the natural look of a teeth and is absolutely comfortable like a real tooth. One can maintain a good oral hygiene to keep the implant doing a fine job. There are also no issues of mumbling speech.

• Which is better a Bridge or an Implant?

Dental bridge vs implants - When it comes to durability, comfort and longevity, dental implants do better than bridges. Also, with implants there is no damage or change made to the surrounding teeth and moreover a natural look is obtained. Individuals could choose bridges over implant for concerns such as cost, multiple teeth to be fixed etc.

• What happens if you have a tooth pulled and don't replace it?

It is important to replace pulled out teeth because otherwise the jaw bones tend to weaken. There could also be a shift in the teeth causing problems while eating.

• Do they put you to sleep for Dental Implants?

Dental implants will definitely need a form of sedation or anesthesia. If a patient is able to tolerate pain and do fine with the procedure, a mild form of sedation is given. In cases where the discomfort is high, a higher dose of anesthesia or other alternatives would be preferred.

• Do Dental Implants set off Metal Detectors?

Dental implants are made of titanium which is a metal that is not affected by the magnetic field. Hence, there is no chance that metal detectors could set off an alarm with these implants.

• Can my body reject a Dental Implant?

Although very rare, dental implants could be rejected by the body. Symptoms of a foreign object rejection will include chills, fever, swelling, pain and discomfort.

• How do you clean under Dental Implants?

One must maintain good oral hygiene and clean the teeth with a mild toothpaste at least twice daily. Dental floss is also recommended for overall oral hygiene.

• Are Dental Implants removable for cleaning?

Dental implants are permanently fixed in the jaw line and there is no need to remove it for cleaning. Regular oral hygiene would be good enough to maintain the implants.

• What happens if screw comes out of Implant?

Patients must take good care not to strain the dental implant by chewing hard food to prevent any chance of the screw falling out. In some cases, the screw would fall out due to tissue or gum rejecting the implant. It is important to consult the dentist if the screw falls out.

• Will my gums grow back after Implant?

Yes, the gums could grow back after an implant. In two weeks’ time after the implant, the gum would be healed completely as well.