A dental implant provides a secure way to replace one or more of your missing natural teeth. Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice as they offer a lifelong solution to missing teeth, helping you regain confidence in your smile.

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WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
An implant is an artificial tooth with three components. The actual implant is a post, usually made from titanium, which is inserted into the jaw.

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After a few weeks, when this has healed, there’s the next step — an abutment is applied to the implant which supports the attachment of a custom-made crown on to the implant. Once the crown is fitted, the dental implant is complete.

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WHY CHOOSE A DENTAL IMPLANT?
Dental implants have a number of benefits over alternative restorative procedures. First and foremost, implants are secure once fitted and can last a lifetime. With a custom-made crown, an implant also looks natural. Dentures use natural suction between the gum and the dentures to maintain their position and are more likely to shift or fall out.

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A dental bridge is another solution to replace a missing tooth, but this method requires using the neighboring teeth in order to place the bridge. Since dental implants are inserted directly into the jaw bone, they do not have an impact on healthy adjacent teeth.

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DO I QUALIFY FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
You will need sufficient jaw bone mass to support the screw element of the implant. This may depend on how much time has passed since you lost the tooth. When teeth are missing the body begins to reabsorb the jawbone. Osteoporosis and jaw injuries are further issues which can affect the density of your jaw bone.

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However, even if you have lost jaw bone density, you may qualify for a bone graft to correct the issue and provide sufficient support for dental implants. Your dentist will ask about your overall health too, as smoking may increase the risk of complications after the procedure.

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WILL MY INSURANCE COVER ME?
As dental implants are becoming more popular, more insurers are covering the procedure in their policies. However, you should check your current policy beforehand to see if your insurers will cover all or even a percentage of the treatment costs.

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If you have lost teeth, consult with your dentist to see whether dental implants could be the best solution for you, helping to restore a natural-looking smile.

Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice as they offer a lifelong solution to missing teeth, helping you regain confidence in your smile.