What are Dental Implants anyways?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from biocompatible materials, usually titanium, that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They serve as a stable foundation for attaching various dental prostheses, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures, to replace missing teeth. The implant procedure involves a process called osseointegration, wherein the implant fuses with the bone, providing long-lasting support. Dental implants offer several advantages, including improved appearance, functionality, and preservation of bone structure. They closely mimic natural teeth, enhancing chewing, speech, and overall oral health, making them a popular choice for tooth replacement.

In short: Dental implants are metal posts that are surgically screwed into jaw bone to support either one or many artificial teeth.

Now that we have that out of the way, here are some frequently asked questions we hear all the time from patients asking about Dental Implants.

Am I too old for dental implants?

Many people over ninety years of age have had implants placed without any trouble at all. After the procedure, most express that they wish that they had not waited so long, disappointed that they didn't have the implants placed earlier in life.

Are dental implants really necessary?

Yes! Following a symposium held at McGill University in 2002, leading dental researchers determined that the minimum treatment for anyone missing all of their lower teeth is a denture on two implants. This means that a denture alone can no longer be reasonably considered as acceptable treatment for anyone missing all of their teeth.

Does implant surgery hurt?

Dental implant placement is surprisingly comfortable when compared to other dental procedures. Many patients who have benefited from getting dental implants say that their level of discomfort was minimal because the implant surgery only took about ten minutes per implant to be completed.

What different types of dentures on dental implants treatments are available?

Dentures secured on implants are generally classed into two categories:

Screw-retained implants

Removable dentures on implants

What are dentures with screw-retained dental implants?

This type of dental implant treatment involves a much more fixed denture prosthetic. The denture is screwed in to the implants by the dentist and is not removable by anyone other than the dentist.

This treatment is as close to getting our natural teeth back as possible because the denture cannot come out during daily activities. The drawbacks to this treatment are that the denture can be very difficult to clean because it is fixed in place. This daily hygiene necessity means that this option isn’t ideal for anyone who has any trouble with dexterity or who is less likely to practise good daily oral hygiene habits.

This treatment is also the most costly dental implant treatment available, generally costing between $15,000 and $30,000 per jaw because of the added work needed by the dentist as well as increased lab fees.

What are removable dentures on dental implants?

Because of the high cost and high maintenance required with screw retained dental implants, Saberton Denture & Implant's most popular implant treatment is for removable dentures on dental implants.

The denture in this treatment snap on to the dental implant and are removable by the patient, similarly to a regular denture, but much more secure. The advantage of this dental implant treatment is that it is far easier to clean the denture; dentures can be removed daily from the mouth and brushed in the sink or soaked in a cleansing solution. The oral cavity can also be easily brushed once the denture is removed, greatly reducing any chance of decay or disease around the implants.

This treatment is much more affordable than the fixed, or screw-retained denture treatment. And because of how many of these implant retained dentures we complete, our partnered surgeons are able to offer straightforward services and fees, with treatments from about $7,000 for two implants, our highest quality denture, and all necessary dental implant parts.

Are there any cheaper dental implant options?

Our goal has always been to offer as many denture treatment plans as possible to ensure that no one has to go without teeth, particularly for any financial reasons.

However, dentures on dental implants are a little different in that there’s a surgical aspect. Plus, because dental implants are secured directly into the bone, the denture materials used in denture construction must be as strong as possible to minimize the possibility of breakage. Lastly, the dental implants we work with are guaranteed for life, helping ensure that the surgery only has to be performed once in a lifetime.

So, while dental implants have a higher initial price, the lifetime guarantee of the implants along with the improved fit and quality of life that dental implants provide, help patients understand the importance that we use only the best materials when building a denture secured with dental implants.

What about mini dental implants?

It’s debatable whether mini implants can even be referred to as dental implants. This treatment is seen as a lower cost alternative to the traditional dental implant whereby mini implants, as the name suggests, are much smaller in size.

Mini implants generally fail at a rate of up to 30%. Because of this high failure rate, Saberton Denture & Implant generally recommends the time-tested traditional dental implant as a solution. While mini implants have their place in helping dentures stay in place, we find that regular dental implants are our preferred choice, simply because of how well they work. And when it comes to surgical procedures, Saberton Denture & Implant feels that it’s always better to work with treatment plans that offer the best outcome.

Are dentures on dental implants expensive?

This is the million dollar question that everyone asks. While surgery for two new dental implants and a new denture costs about $7,000, the implants are guaranteed for life and the denture usually lasts at least ten years. This means that the actual cost of getting a denture on two implants is less than $2/day. Comparing this amount to the cost of having to use a couple tubes of denture adhesive every week, implants actually work out to be the more affordable option.

What's the first step in getting dentures?

Regardless of which type of denture that one needs, we suggest that anyone interested in denture treatment come for a free consultation, so that we can discuss all of the treatment plan options available without worry of having to pay a consultation fee.

What's the first step when getting teeth pulled?

The free consultation is an even more important first step if you are planning on having any teeth pulled, because there are an even larger number of treatment plan options available with this type of denture, partly because there’s a surgical aspect to the treatment. The free consultation allows you to discuss which treatment works best for your individual needs. And this is best done with a face to face appointment where the denturist can look in your mouth and give the best advice, taking into consideration your comfort level of going without teeth for any period of time, as well as the fees involved. For more information on dentures and teeth being extracted, visit our page on dentures and extractions. Many patients prefer having immediate dentures, but it’s best to know the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

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