If you have a missing tooth, Dulles Dental Group knows that you may not feel like smiling. But you don't have to live with an embarrassing gap between your teeth if you don't want to. Dulles Dental Group sheds light on the fact that plenty of options exist to replace a missing tooth. That's good to know because a missing tooth doesn't just leave a hole in your smile -- it may also affect how you speak and chew. And if a missing tooth isn't potentially replaced, the teeth around it begin to move. Shifting teeth generally create new crevices for dental plaque to hide in, which can lead to tooth decay and the need for a tooth filling or gum disease treatment down the road. 

Dulles Dental Group has found that implant dentistry is a popular option for replacing a missing tooth. Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures or using adjacent teeth as anchors like a dental bridge, dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone where they act as an anchor for replacement teeth. A dental implant basically looks and feels like a natural tooth, allowing you to chew and speak just like you did before. 

Dental Implants: A Lasting Solution

Dulles Dental Group finds that dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or all of them. Dental implants can also be used to anchor a bridge or dentures into place. Implant-supported dentures are ideal if you need to have all of your teeth replaced, providing more stability than traditional dentures and costing less than a complete set of single dental implants. 
Dulles Dental Group highlights that, just like any surgery, the dental implant procedure's success will be dependent upon your overall health. That means practicing excellent oral hygiene, eating well and not smoking. Patients must also maintain a significant amount of jaw bone to support dental implants. Discuss your pre-existing medical conditions with Dulles Dental Group. We can best determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. 

Now let's take a look at dental implant cost, which is an important factor. And for good reason. While the costs of dental implants differ, prices can range from $1000-$3000 per implant. Dulles Dental Group has learned that most dental insurance plans consider the procedure cosmetic and don't cover costs. Compared to other popular solutions for missing teeth -- like dentures, partial dentures or bridges -- the dental implant cost disparity might be a little hard to swallow. But before your write them off, Dulles Dental Group would like you to remember that dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. With proper care, you may never have to replace them again. So although paying more may cause a dent in your pocket in the beginning, you'll get your money's worth in the long run. Dental implants are also much more comfortable and natural-looking than other solutions. Because they're surgically placed into your jawbone, they're the closest thing to your natural teeth that dentistry has to offer! 

Even if you don't have the money to cover the cost of dental implants up front, you still have options. Dulles Dental Group recalls that most dental offices offer some form of in-office financing that allows you to make payments over time. Some even offer low or no-interest plans to make the dental implant cost easier to manage. Be sure to ask the dentist that you are working with about all your payment options! 

Remember, if properly cared for, dental implants can typically last a lifetime! Although the replaced tooth itself can't get cavities, Dulles Dental Group goes on to explain that you still need to brush and floss the area to remove dental plaque buildup. Regular dental visits every six months are also recommended. If you think dental implants might be right for you, talk to Dulles Dental Group.