Dental technology has advanced significantly over the years, making it possible to correct functional and aesthetic concerns about teeth that were once only imaginable. Dental implants are a breakthrough solution that has redefined how we can restore missing teeth.
While more and more people continue to turn to dental implants for their results in terms of durability, natural appearance, and ability to improve overall oral health, some still have many doubts about this procedure.
Unlike traditional options like dentures or bridges, implants are securely anchored into the jawbone. They provide a long-lasting and comfortable fit that looks and feels like natural teeth.
Whether you want to restore a single tooth or a complete smile, dental implants may be just the right solution. In this blog, we will break down everything you need to know about what are dental implants, their purpose, procedure, benefits, limitations, when they are ideal, cost, and if they are worth the investment.
What are Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots or threaded posts made of titanium, surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth.
Dental implants fill any gaps in your smile resulting from a lost or damaged tooth, performing its function to improve chewing ability and overall oral health, as well as aesthetics. Once the procedure is complete and the gums are healed, they look and work like natural teeth.
How Are Dental Implants Structured
Dental implants are made up of three parts: the post (or fixture), the abutment, and the prosthetic restoration – which is the visible part that looks like a natural tooth.
Threaded Post
The threaded post or fixture is the titanium cylinder that acts as the artificial tooth root and is surgically embedded into your jawbone.
Abutment
An abutment is a small connector piece that attaches to the threaded post once it has integrated with the jawbone. It extends slightly beyond the gums and serves as the base for securing the new artificial tooth.
Prosthetic Restoration
The prosthetic restoration is the crown, bridge, or denture that is custom-made to match your natural teeth. It is the visible part of the implant that is bonded to the abutment to restore the function and appearance of missing teeth.
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is performed in multiple stages, with healing time between each step. The specifics of the surgery, including the length of time between sessions, depend on various factors such as the patient's condition, the number of implants, the health of the gums, and more. However, we have outlined the common steps of the procedure to give you an idea of what to expect and how much time the treatment may take.
Initial Consultation
During the initial consultation, the dentist will examine the site of the damaged or missing teeth or where the dental implant will potentially be. They will tailor a treatment plan and base their technique depending on each patient’s unique condition.
Dental Implantation
Step 01: Numbing with Anesthesia
Usually, local anesthesia is administered to numb the gums where the dental implant will be embedded. You may also opt to be fully sedated for the procedure.
Step 02: Surgical Insertion
Your oral surgeon will make a small incision in the gums to expose your jawbone. Then, they will clear an opening in the jawbone to accommodate the threaded post. In some cases, bone grafting or augmentation may be needed before this step.
Step 03: Healing and Osseointegration
During the healing phase, the jawbone fuses with the threaded post, known as osseointegration. This process takes around 3 to 6 months and is critical for the stability and long-term success of dental implantation. Sometimes, it can take longer, depending on how your body heals.
Step 04: Placement of Abutment and Final Restoration
Once your jawbone has successfully fused with the threaded post, a second minor surgery will be done to attach the abutment and the prosthetic restoration. Your gum tissue is reopened, and the abutment is connected to the threaded post. The custom-made crown, bridge, or denture will then be secured on top of the abutment.
Follow-up Visits
To monitor your healing process, you will be scheduled for timely follow-up visits. This ensures the implant is functioning properly and allows for any adjustments if necessary.
What to Expect from Dental Implants
Dental implants are placed in the jawbone to serve as the root of a missing tooth/teeth. The titanium in the bone fuses with the jawbone, preventing it from slipping, making noise, or causing bone damage, as with fixed bridges or dentures. The materials in dental implants also do not decay like natural teeth, making them highly durable.
If the implant site is near the front of your mouth, the dentist will provide a temporary tooth you can wear until you heal. This way, there will be no gaps in the smile when you recover. On the other hand, if the implant site is toward the back of your mouth, you will not need a temporary tooth. Our dentists will discuss everything you need to expect during your dental implant treatment so that you are informed and guided at every stage.
Healing and Aftercare
Anesthesia, whether local or general (sedation), will be administered, ensuring that you do not feel any pain during the surgery for dental implants. It is completely natural to have slight discomfort and swelling post-surgery. Rest assured, you will be prescribed over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to help ease these symptoms.
The initial healing process to close the wound or incision site takes roughly a week, while osseointegration (fusing of the jawbone around the threaded post) will take anywhere from 3 - 9 months. This stage is crucial to stabilizing the dental implant so you can use it like a natural tooth.
Our dentist will check your progress every few weeks to assess if your jawbone is ready and has healed completely to receive the final restoration (crown, bridge, or denture).
Limitations and Possible Complications
After the procedure, it is completely normal to have slight bleeding and swelling. While complications and risks are very uncommon, provided that you get your implants from professional and expert clinics, they may include:
Damage to nearby teeth
Delayed jawbone healing
Infection
Jaw fractures
Nerve damage
Severe bleeding
Sinus damage
Very rarely, some people can develop an allergic reaction to dental implants made of titanium. In this case, they can be replaced with ceramic implants.
It is important to emphasize that when an experienced surgeon places implants, the risk of complications is very minimal. This is where the expertise of our dentists at the Invisalign Center comes in. Our team of dentists and implant specialists has been carefully selected to ensure treatments are precise, effective, and tailored to each patient's unique needs.
When Should I Call My Dentist?
While dental implants are a safe procedure, provided that you get them done from a reliable clinic with the right expertise, there may be complications that need your dentists’ attention. If you notice a loose or wobbly implant, bleeding gums, fever, pus (infection) around the implant, swollen gums, or lymph nodes, consult your dentist immediately for proper and early treatment.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Dental Implants
Anyone with missing or severely damaged teeth due to cavities, chips, gum diseases, grinding or clenching (bruxism), or teeth that never develop (anodontia) can get dental implants as a long-term solution. They are suitable for individuals whose jawbone has fully developed, which usually occurs at 16 to 17 years old for women and 18 to 21 years old for men.
Dental implants can be ideal if you:
Have one or more missing teeth
Have a jawbone that's reached full growth
Have healthy tissues in your mouth
Have enough bone to secure the implants or can have a bone graft
Don't have health conditions that can affect bone healing
Are able or willing to wear dentures
Don't smoke tobacco
Want to improve your speech
Are willing to commit several months to the process
Today, dental implants have become one of the most popular choices for tooth replacement, promising sustainable results. Always remember that only your dentist can assess if dental implants are an effective solution for a given condition. They evaluate your suitability by cross-checking other prevailing health conditions or any other dental concerns you have.
Who Cannot Get Dental Implants
While dental implants are generally very safe, they may not be the best option for some due to health conditions, bone structure, and lifestyle factors. Here are some risk factors related to dental implants, from the National Library of Medicine:
Health Conditions
Uncontrolled Diabetes: Diabetes or poor blood sugar control can affect healing and increase the risk of implant failure.
Severe Heart Conditions: People who are experiencing cardiac issues may require special considerations or prevent any surgeries.
Cancer Patients: Anyone undergoing radiation therapy, especially in the jaw area, may not be the best candidate for dental implants.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can affect healing, making candidates unsuitable to get implants.
Blood Disorders: Issues like hemophilia or other clotting conditions may increase surgical risks, making dental implants not the best option.
Severe Osteoporosis: Weak or brittle bones can make implant placement challenging and pose many complications.
Oral Health Issues
Gum Disease: Anyone having active periodontal disease must be treated before implants can be installed.
Insufficient Bone Density: Bone loss in the jaw may prevent implant stability. Some dentists can recommend bone grafts to address this issue.
Severe Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Excessive grinding habits or bruxism can lead to implant failure.
Lifestyle Factors
Smoking: Smoking can affect the healing process post-procedure and increase the risk of implant failure.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Failing to commit to proper oral care can increase complications after the procedure and affect the healing process altogether.
Age Restrictions
Children and Adolescents: Dental implants are not safe to be installed in candidates whose jawbones are still growing. This makes them unsuitable for children and adolescents.
In most cases, treatment options like bone grafting and periodontal therapy can improve candidacy. However, as emphasized, they can only be properly assessed and evaluated by a dentist or oral surgeon.
Benefits of Dental Implant Surgery
Missing teeth can change the way you eat, speak, live. In the long run, it significantly affects the quality of your life and well-being. Dental implants provide the closest solution to a natural tooth, offering you many benefits:
Proper chewing
Healthy-looking smile
Helps prevent the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss (jawbone preservation)
Preserves the health of the surrounding bone and gums
Keeps adjacent teeth stable
Improves speech and enunciation
Long-term results (dental implants can last a lifetime)
Stable alternative to wobbly dentures
Another impressive benefit of getting dental implants is that they don’t require any type of enamel removal like with bridges. For a dental bridge procedure, your dentist will have to alter, modify, or shave down at least one tooth on either side of the gap or problematic tooth. This weakens the structure of your natural teeth over time.
Thankfully, dental implants replace the missing tooth or teeth without any involvement or alterations required to the neighboring teeth. Dental implant is a one-tooth solution to a one-tooth problem.
Cost of Dental Implants in Dubai
The cost of the procedure varies depending on many factors. On average, it can range anywhere from AED 7000- 16,000, including the implant post, abutment, and crown. Here are some of the key factors that determine the cost of dental implants in Dubai.
Additional Procedures
Sometimes, your dentist may recommend additional procedures such as bone grafts, sinus lifts, and other preparatory treatments before getting dental implants. This will increase the cost of the procedure.
Multiple Implants
The cost of dental implants in Dubai for replacing multiple teeth or opting for a full-mouth restoration will significantly increase the price.
Material Quality
The quality of material used for the implants and crowns can increase the price, but they do offset the cost in terms of durability.
Dental Expertise
Reputable clinics with highly skilled and experienced dentists may charge higher for the reliability of results. At Invisalign Center, our price for dental implants starts at just AED 7,000 per tooth, with the added flexibility of monthly plans. Our goal is to ensure advanced dental procedures are easily accessible and affordable to all.
Are Dental Implants Worth The Cost?
When assessing the cost of dental implants in Dubai, it is important to remember that the price of the treatment offsets the value in terms of durability and the need for less maintenance. Moreover, dental implants do not just focus on restoring your smile, they also maintain oral health and function, making them a valuable long-term investment.
Dental implants are primarily designed to offer a permanent solution compared to bridges and dentures. In this regard, dental implants are cost-effective, allowing you to save money by reducing the need for future repairs or replacements.
At Invisalign Center, we offer installment plans or financing for dental implants to make the procedure more affordable. It is also worth checking with your insurance provider to see if they can fully or partially cover the cost of dental implant procedures if deemed medically necessary.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last
In general, dental implants last longer than alternative treatments such as bridges, dentures, or veneers. While the restoration part of the dental implant may require replacing at some point, the crowns and bridges can last up to 15 years. Practicing proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits can make dental implants last longer.
It is also important to remember that sufficient bone density is important to strengthen the dental implants, and lifestyle habits such as smiling and alcohol can affect the healing process. Clenching, grinding, or trauma also contribute to the wear and tear of dental implants.
During the consultation, our dentist will give a clear breakdown of the conditions and requirements to ensure an effective dental implant procedure. They will explain the changes you need to bring into your routine as well as the maintenance and discipline you must observe to increase the longevity of your dental implants.
