Dental Works

Dental Implant Procedure Explained In Brief

The dental implant procedure is a two-step operation. It involves the surgical placement of the implant or implants, a healing time when the titanium implants integrates with the jawbone and implant restoration step when a crown and veneers are placed over the abutment and the tooth restoration is completed.

A trained implant dentist will do the complete process of implant surgery and crown placement himself or he may take the help of a restorative dentist who will design and insert the final replacement teeth after the implant has been placed by the surgical dentist.

One-stage dental implant

In the one stage process the implant is placed into the extracted site and is visible above the gum immediately after placement. With this method there is no need for a second stage of surgery to expose the implant to support the tooth. Though the implant is not yet ready to take the implants, this process eliminate the second stage of surgery.

Two-stage implant

In the two-stage implant process the implant is first placed in an extracted site, which is then left, covered by a gum. In the second stage a few weeks or months later after the implant has healed sufficiently it is uncovered a component is added to make it ready to take on a tooth.

Same day implants

In the same-day implants several implants are placed at the same time and a few hours later a complete arch of teeth or fixed in place. But this process takes considerable pre-planning and then again not all patients are suitable for such a process. After complete healing permanent teeth are installed incase temporary teeth are fixed on the day of implantation.

Is dental implants a painful procedure?

Dental implants procedure is not painful. Your implants surgery will be done under anesthesia and you will be prescribed painkillers to control the pain after surgery. You will have a mild discomfort for some days then the pain should go away.

Are dental implants a very costly procedure?

In plain monetary terms yes, dental implants are an expensive procedure. But, if you consider the many benefits in terms of improved lifestyle, confidence, comfort and appearance your dental implants will be one of best investments you will ever make.

Again the costs vary from place to place. So, get a quote from an implant dentist near you and compare with it quotes from other similar experts. Pick a dentist with a lot of experience and training. A person who is competent and also with whom you feel comfortable. Dental implants improperly done by inexperienced and incompetent dentists can lead to major problems.

Are Dental implants an experimental procedure? Why do the dental insurance refuse to cover them?

It is surprising but true dental insurance companies think of dental implants as an experimental procedure. Several million implants later this notion is highly laughable but the clauses written in the 60's and 70's remain unchanged. Maybe, because it is beneficial to the dental insurers not to pay for the dental implants. Also, they claim dental implants is a medical procedure while the medical insurers claim it to be a purely dental procedure. Result is both refuse to pay for treatment charges. It is important that consumers band together with experts and other interest groups to force the insurers to include dental implants as an insurable procedure.

In the last few years some dental professionals have managed to get relief for the patients by getting the dental implant surgery part as claimable for insurance holders. This has reduced the burden on the people to some extent. Another, argument is that dental implants are cosmetic so insurance won't cover it. Not all implants are cosmetic. So, more work needs to be done to get dental implants into the insurance fold.