What is Dental Implant Surgery?
A dental implant is an artificial root, for a replacement tooth. They are integrated into the jaw bone and replacement teeth are permanently bound to them usually by a screw attachment.
Should I get Dental Implants?
To answer this question, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why dental implants are sought after or recommended.
Physical impact
- Missing teeth can impact on the ability to eat
- Gaps from missing teeth break the structure required to keep the rest of your teeth in place
- Strain and movement on your other teeth may start to occur, spreading damage across your entire teeth line
- A dramatically altered physical image
- Lowered self esteem
- Self conscious
- Fear of further dental issues
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
What are the requirements for dental implants? A consultation with your dentist will establish whether dental implants are a potential and recommended option for you. If your dentist is qualified and experience, then they may carry out the procedure themselves, otherwise they will refer you to a dentist who is.In order to be eligible for dental implant surgery, the bone of the jaw must be substantial enough to accommodate the implants. To establish this, an X-Ray on the jaw is conducted. If you do not have sufficient jaw bone for dental implants, it is possible to graft bone from another area such as your chin. The other option is to use a bone donor; however, it cannot be guaranteed that the donated bone will be accepted by your own tissue.
In addition to adequate jaw bone, potential candidates for dental implants must be in good health, with existing oral and gum health and a lifestyle conducive to implant recovery. Lifestyle factors such as smoking could have a bearing on this.
What is involved in Dental Implant surgery?- Metal cylinders are placed inside the jawbone in place of the missing root.
Dental implants are usually made of titanium. This is because titanium is an inert material that does not react or change state. This avoids problems that would arise from other materials being rejected by our own living tissue. - Next, the connector such as the screw is attached to the implant
- Lastly, the tooth is attached to the implant via the connector
Do Dental Implants Hurt? Does dental implant surgery involve anesthetic?
Dental implant surgery can be quite major work that requires the use of local anesthetic to numb the area.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Given the cost of dental implants, you would hope that the cost of them will not only fix your problem, but for a long period of time, if not permanently. They can and generally will last for the rest of ones life provided they continue with good oral hygiene standards and that infection or gum disease does not lead to failure of the implant.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Are dental implants expensive?Dental work in general is expensive and dental implants are no exception. Of course the cost will vary depending on the extent of work that needs to be done; patients can expect to pay around $4500-$6000 per implant.
Are dental implants covered by Medicare?
No, dental implants cannot be claimed via Medicare
Are dental implants covered by private health insurance?
A certain portion of the implants may be covered by your private health insurance. Dental implants are considered orthodontics and will fall under the umbrella of more complicated dentistry as apposed to general dentistry. The amount of this dentistry covered by private health care may depend on the number of years you are with the health care fund but generally the maximum amount you will be looking at being covered for is in the area of $1500. This is considerably less then the cost of just one dental implant.
Where can I get cheap dental implants?
You will find that the cost of dental implants in Australia will not vary too much. Some clinics will claim that if you do pay cheaper you are taking a risk either in terms of quality materials, patient care, dentist capability or experience.
Another option that has arisen in recent years is to have major dental work performed overseas at significantly lower prices.
Dental implants in Thailand
Thailand isn't the only destination that people have rushed to in order to have dental implants at super cheap prices. It has become a growing and popular option for people to consider given the high cost of implants in first world countries.For whatever reason, there are people for and against undergoing dentistry in developing nations such as Thailand, the Philippines or Mexico. Let us take a look at the reasons for either side.
Why Dental implants in Thailand?
- In developing nations, dental clinics are capable of offering significantly cheaper prices, often 25% of the price in first world countries.
- Many clinics claim that their dentists received their qualifications from a first world country
- Treatment is usually packaged with attractive accommodation options such as mainland hotels or island resorts for a pleasant holiday style recovery at affordable prices
Dental clinics of Australia will warn you of the risks involved in having your dental work performed overseas and we should expect them to do so given that these clinics are directly competing against them with significant savings amongst other incentives. But this doesn’t mean that having the dental work done cheaply at these clinics isn’t risky. Let us take a look at some of these risks.
- It is very difficult to ascertain the legitimacy of a practice
- The material a practice will distribute on the internet will sound very convincing and even more so with Australian based contacts and offices to co-ordinate the dentistry
- Australian dental professionals will discourage the practice of 3rd world dentistry and there is a great deal of scary material online to reflect this.
- Disease and Infection
- Dental clinics in third world countries may be less bound to adhere to strict hygiene and equipment maintenance laws
- Additional costs
- There have been reports of additional medical costs that have occurred during and after treatment, the patient unaware that the dental costs would blow out significantly
- No after treatment support
- If there are complications with the dental work, going back to the dentist to be treated may not be feasible
- No legal protection or avenue \ Corruption
- Third world countries may have less legal support for you if you are unsatisfied with your treatment or circumstances
- Incorrect cheap materials
- There are some things that you will not take the risk with and using metals other then titanium for your implant is one of them. Using a cheaper mental would be one way for a dentist to save a great deal of money
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