Leaving missing teeth untreated, can cause various problems for your oral health. Specifically, you may be more susceptible to gum disease; you will inevitably experience bone loss in your jaw since there is no tooth there to make contact and stimulate the bone. You’ll be at greater risk for additional tooth loss, and your remaining teeth may begin to shift. For these reasons, many patients reach out to their dentist near Boise, ID, to discuss dental implants and to determine if the dental implant procedure is worth it.

What the Dental Implant Procedure Entails

While it is true the dental implant process takes longer than other tooth replacement options, it continues to be the most effective and longest-lasting option. Here is what you should expect.

1. Initial evaluation—During this step, we’ll conduct a comprehensive oral examination to determine the condition of your jawbone and the best approach for your tooth replacement.
2. Tooth extraction—In some cases, you may still have a remaining tooth that needs replacing. In this case, we’ll remove it before we place your implant. This step will not slow down the process as it can be done simultaneously with implant insertion.
3. Bone grafting—If you have lost bone density, the bone of your jaw might not be strong enough to sustain an implant. In these cases, we may recommend a bone graft with bone taken from another part of your jaw. If you do need a bone graft, you will need about two to three months to heal before we can continue with the dental implant procedure.
4. Dental implant insertion—And here is where the process gets exciting. At this phase, we insert your new dental implant into the jawbone. It will then take about three to six months for your jawbone to heal and prepare for the next phase.
5. Abutment placement—Once your implant is stable and secure, we will place the abutment on top. The abutment connects the implant to your crown and is tightened, so it remains securely in place when you eat and speak.
6. Crown placement—The last step is the placement of the crown over the abutment. Your crown will be custom-made to match the natural teeth in your mouth.

The dental implant procedure can take six to nine months. And while there are several surgeries, especially if you need a bone graft, our patients resoundingly state it was worth it. In fact, most patients often indicate they wish they hadn’t waited so long. Check out our testimonials for yourself.

It’s worth it! Experience these benefits from your dental implant procedure.

We understand that the time required for this smile makeover can seem a bit daunting. But we do promise it will be worth it. Here are all the benefits that our dental implant patients can expect.

• Your new titanium implants will serve as prosthetic tooth roots, holding the implants securely in place and preserving the bone density of the jawbone. This means you won’t encounter the facial sagging many people with missing teeth experience.
• Dental implants are just as strong, if not stronger, than natural teeth.
• Tooth implants look and feel just like your natural teeth. Your crowns will be custom-made to blend with the rest of your smile. No one but you and your dental team at Staley Dental will need to know you have dental implants unless you choose to tell them.
• Practicing good oral hygiene with dental implants is the same as with natural teeth. You don’t need a denture cleaning solution, special brushes, or devices. You only need solid dental habits and the know-how to brush, floss, and rinse daily.
• You can anticipate a youthful appearance knowing your face won’t sag. Trust us; dental implants can take years away.
• Once healed, you’ll forget you ever had dental implants placed. They’re the closest tooth replacement to real teeth invented in dentistry.
• With good oral care, your implants can last a lifetime.

And we know that despite all these benefits, patients will want to know how much dental implants cost. But just like the cost for dental implants will vary from patient to patient, whether or not your dental insurance provider will cover the cost will also vary depending on various factors. We recommend you call your insurance provider to inquire about dental implant coverage. If you do not have coverage, Staley Dental offers financing programs, such as CareCredit, to make it easier to afford your care.

Let Staley Dental show you that dental implants are an excellent treatment option.

If you have questions about dental implants, the cost, and whether they are worth the time and financial investment, request an appointment so we can discuss them. Though implants have a higher upfront cost than other tooth replacement options, such as dental bridges and dentures, they tend to be far more cost-effective over time. So if you have missing teeth, don’t delay. Contact us to discuss your tooth restoration in Boise, ID. Before you know it, you’ll smile again and wonder why you waited so long.