It’s astounding how much the smile impacts our confidence. With holiday parties approaching and vaccines becoming more common, we’re getting back to being able to go some places without masks. Anyone who’s lost a tooth or damaged a tooth over the pandemic knows it’s made an enormous difference in their ability to be confident when they smile. When you have a damaged tooth, you tend to think it’s all that people see, giving you a warped sense of body image. Thankfully, we live in an age where getting that tooth replaced is a viable option. So, what is the average cost of a single tooth implant in Toronto?
Understanding the cost
Dental implants can be anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 per tooth. Because each procedure is done based on the individual problem, it’s difficult to narrow it down to an exact price. Each procedure can be completely different from the last. Multiple factors go into calculating the cost of a single dental implant; including, how damaged the jawbone is, treatment intricacies, and even if you need more than one implant.
Why choose dental implants over other options?
Dental implants are significantly more expensive than some alternatives to repair a missing tooth. However, there are some excellent reasons to consider this an investment rather than just a cosmetic expense.
Dental implants last considerably longer than some cosmetic-style fixes for a missing tooth. Bridges, for example, may need to be replaced or repaired within five years of having them done. This can end up costing more in the long run. When placed by a qualified professional, dental implants can actually last your entire life.
Next, you want to consider your overall health and wellness. One thing that’s often overlooked when considering the cost of this is the damage it’s doing to your jawbone. The longer a tooth is missing, the more the wear and tear on the jawbone begins to show. The bone starts to deteriorate where the tooth was and can cause problems for the adjacent teeth. If you have more than one missing tooth, this can be more severe than just one, and over time, change the look of your face, especially around the upper lip.
Suppose the damage to the jawbone is extensive. In that case, you may require bone grafting before getting even a single implant to ensure that it can be placed safely and securely. This can significantly add to the cost of even a single dental implant.
They’re almost real
Not only are dental implants made to last, but they are also made to be the closest thing available to a natural tooth. Dental implants are as close to the natural tooth as we’ve been able to get with technology. Dental implants have been around for quite a while, but their steeper cost has made them something people tend to forget as an option.
Even though they are more expensive, the technology and mimicry of a natural tooth are unmatched, so they should be on your list of things to consider.
Dental implants are created with a titanium screw, also known as an artificial root, which is surgically implanted into the jawbone. This connection helps make it seem more like a natural tooth than a bridge attached to other teeth or significantly more authentic than dentures.
Prepping for the procedure
As we’ve already discussed, each person has a different level regarding the actual procedure. As you go through the process, you’ll work with a specialist to help decide what treatment plan is the best option for you. This will include some things that will add to the cost of the implant, including a physical exam and numerous X-rays to determine the best path forward. This diagnostic and estimate phase is when you get to ask questions and when you’ll likely get the evaluations on what the procedure will cost you individually.
If you’re dealing with your lost tooth early on, you likely won’t need any bone grafting, so the first step will be to put in the implant.
Implantation Process
Now that you’ve gone through all the necessary diagnostics and discovered that implants are really the direction you wish to go in, then you’ll be scheduled in for surgery.
Sedation is almost always used because this is a relatively significant oral surgery.
Stage One
The oral surgeon will make an incision in the gums where the implant is placed and then drill into the jawbone for the screw to root. The gums are then sutured closed. This part of the process can take multiple months before it completely heals.
It takes months to heal because the bone is growing and bonding around the implanted screw to make it a permanent connection.
Stage Two
Now that the gums and bones are completely healed, the specialist will attach a special connector known as an abutment to the implant. Then with a small screw and dental adhesive, the replacement tooth or crown is attached to the abutment.
This portion won’t take nearly as long to heal. However, you may have some tenderness and swelling just from the process itself. This part isn’t bad and usually will clear up over the first few days. If you find it too uncomfortable, most will recommend something like ibuprofen, which will help bring down any swelling.
Once your dental implant is in place and you’ve given it a few days to adjust, you can go back to living like you did before you lost your tooth.
Dental care moving forward
Now that your smile is restored, it’s even more critical to stay on top of your dental hygiene. The crown portion of the implant cannot decay like a normal tooth, making it just a touch stronger than its natural counterpart.
However, your dental hygiene is perhaps more critical than ever. Even though implants cannot be damaged by cavities, you know the investment in dental implants. We’re sure you’re going to want to avoid having to get anymore.
And even though the implant itself cannot be impacted by cavities, it’s still implanted into the gums, which means it’s not impervious to gum disease. Gum disease can damage the connection with the bone. This damage can lead to the implant failing. If you’re ready to get back that pracademic smile, you should schedule an appointment to talk to a professional about dental implants. They provide a lifelong solution to one or more missing teeth.
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