An All-You-Need-to-Know Guide
Most of us likely have had the disturbing dream where one or
more of your teeth fall out. So what do you do if you lose a tooth in real
life? What are your options?
One is to get a dental implant. This is a procedure where an
oral surgeon or periodontist surgically places an artificial tooth that’s permanently
fused in the jawbone—a fantastic long-term option for tooth replacement. Twenty
years ago, if you were missing a tooth, you had two choices: a fixed bridge or removable dentures. Fixed
bridges rely on neighboring healthy teeth as anchors, which can have a negative
impact on them down the road. And, removable dentures can slip or make
embarrassing clicking sounds when you speak.
A dental implant—made of titanium metal—fuses to the
jawbone, serving as the root of the missing tooth. Unlike fixed bridges, which
may need to be replaced two and three times during a lifetime, implants are
durable and rarely, if ever, need to be replaced.
Implant Advantages: At-a-Glance
-
They look
good!
Implants are aesthetically superior to
bridges and dentures—they stay put and look like real teeth. You might even
forget you ever lost a tooth!
-
They save
adjacent teeth
Because implants don’t need to be anchored to
the teeth next to them, they preserve the overall integrity of your healthy
teeth. No more decay of otherwise sound teeth.
-
They
build confidence
Remember when Aunt Mable’s dentures clicked
when she spoke? Or when Grandpa Eddie pulled his out to show his gummy smile?
You laughed, right? But there’s something embarrassing about the noise and
slippage of dentures. With implants, you know they will remain firmly in place
for decades.
-
They are
reliable
You don’t have to worry about misplacing
implants, unlike dentures. And, you won’t have to replace them many times,
unlike bridges.
It’s a Process: What to Expect
Note that a dental implant procedure is not a quick one. Here’s
what will happen:
- Complete
dental exam. This may include X-rays and molds made of your mouth.
- Treatment
plan. You will work closely with your dental team to create a treatment
plan. Before the procedure, your providers will take into consideration the
number of teeth that need to be replaced and the condition of your jawbone.
After the procedure, you will be instructed on how implant teeth should be
cared for, which is essentially the same way as your regular teeth: brushing
and flossing to avoid plaque and decay is a must!
- Procedure. It’s
important to note that placing dental implants involves several surgical
procedures, which all together can take three to nine months or more. It’s a
lengthy journey, but much of the time is for healing and allowing new bone to
grow in your jaw. The steps are as follows:
- The dental implant cylinder is placed in your
jawbone.
- You will have a healing period of several
months.
- Once healed, an abutment is placed, followed
by an implant prosthesis or crown.
- Pain
control. You will be given a form of anesthesia during the procedure. This
can include local or general anesthesia, or sedation. Your provider will
discuss which option is best for you. You should be sure that you have someone
to take you home after the procedure.
Solstice’s
Dental Implant Services
In Solstice, you have a long-term oral healthcare partner.
Few insurance carriers address adult dental health needs and that is why we
offer our Dental Implant Service.
The service provides substantial savings on nearly 30
implant procedure codes, unlike other implant plans, who only give discounts on
crowns. Solstice proudly offers savings on implants with specific co-payments,
abutments, prosthesis removal, crowns, and more.
Learn more about Solstice’s Dental
Implant Coverage.
Curious about other products
and plans offered by Solstice? We have a dental plan that meets your
needs!
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