Dental Implants in Bexley: Timeline, Cost Factors, and Who Is a Good Candidate
Dental implants are the closest thing to getting a natural tooth back. They are also a bigger commitment than a filling or a crown, so it makes sense to understand the timeline, the cost factors, and whether you are a good candidate before you book a consult.
At Carroll Family Dental in Bexley, we replace missing teeth with single tooth implants, implant bridges, and implant supported dentures and partials. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.
What a Dental Implant Actually Is
An implant has three parts. A small titanium post goes into the jawbone and acts as a new tooth root. A connector called an abutment attaches to the post. The visible tooth, whether a crown, a bridge, or a denture, attaches to the abutment.
Because the post sits in the bone, an implant does not rely on the teeth next to it for support the way a traditional bridge does. It also gives the jawbone something to hold onto, which helps it keep its shape after a tooth is lost. Our dental implant FAQ covers the parts in more detail.
The Dental Implant Timeline, Step by Step
Most implant treatment takes a few months from the first visit to the final tooth, because the bone needs time to heal. Here is the usual order:
Consultation and 3D imaging. We start with an exam and a conversation about your goals. A cone beam 3D X ray shows your bone, nerves, and sinuses, and digital impressions record your bite without trays of impression material.
Preparing the site, if needed. A damaged tooth may need to come out first. If bone has been lost, a graft may be needed to rebuild it, which adds healing time.
Placing the implant. The area is fully numbed and the post is placed in the jaw. Most people feel some tenderness for a few days afterward.
Healing. Over the next few months, the bone bonds to the post. This step is what makes an implant so stable, and it should not be rushed.
Your new tooth. Once the implant is secure, we attach the abutment and your custom crown, bridge, or denture.
A single implant in healthy bone moves faster than a full arch or a case that needs grafting. We will give you a timeline built around your own treatment plan before anything begins.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
Most adults who are missing one or more teeth can be considered for implants. The things that matter most are:
Healthy gums. Active gum disease needs to be treated first, because it can threaten an implant just as it threatens natural teeth.
Enough jawbone. Bone shrinks after a tooth is lost. Our 3D imaging shows whether there is enough to hold an implant or whether a graft makes sense.
Overall health. Smoking and conditions that slow healing, such as poorly controlled diabetes, raise the risk of problems. That does not always rule you out, but we will talk it through.
A finished jaw. Teens usually wait until their jaw has stopped growing.
What Affects the Cost of Dental Implants
Implant costs vary widely from one patient to the next, which is why we price treatment after an exam rather than quoting a number over the phone. The biggest factors are:
How many teeth you are replacing. One implant and crown is a very different project from an implant supported denture.
The type of restoration. A single crown, an implant bridge, and a full denture each involve different materials and lab work.
Extra steps. Extractions and bone grafting add to the treatment.
Your insurance. Some PPO and Medicare Advantage plans help pay for part of implant treatment and some do not, and annual maximums limit how much they pay each year.
It also helps to think long term. A well cared for implant can last for decades, while other options may need to be redone over time. Your dentist can walk you through how implants compare with a bridge or a denture for your situation. You can see all of the ways we restore and improve smiles on our site.
Paying for Implants in Bexley
Carroll Family Dental is in network with most major PPO plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Delta Dental, Humana, MetLife, and Medical Mutual, along with Medicare Advantage plans. We will check your benefits before treatment starts. Self pay patients receive a cash discount, and CareCredit and Cherry let you spread the cost into monthly payments. See our insurance and payment options.
Planned With Modern Technology
Good implants start with good planning. Our dental technology, including cone beam 3D X rays, digital X rays, and digital impressions, gives our dentists a precise view of your mouth before treatment begins, and fewer surprises along the way.
Schedule an Implant Consultation in Bexley
If you are missing a tooth, or wearing a denture that never feels quite secure, a consultation is the first step. Carroll Family Dental is at 2699 East Main Street in Bexley. Call us at (614) 237-5000 or request an appointment online.
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