Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most common treatment sought by patients traveling abroad for dental care. Used to replace missing teeth, dental implants act as a natural tooth root and replicate the functionality of a natural tooth when attached to a prosthetic tooth- usually in the form of a dental crown.

Dental implant procedure

Dental implant surgery is a two step process. The first is to secure the implant into the jaw. Once the dental implant is in place and has fused to the bone, the dentist will attach the cosmetic replica tooth to the implant. If there is not sufficient bone mass in the upper jaw to hold the implants, a sinus lift operation and a bone graft will be necessary before the dental implant procedure.

Types of dental implants

There are three different dental implant options to replace missing teeth: traditional implants(root-form dental implants) are screwed into the jawbone; plate-form implants are secured into the jawbone with the implant extending horizontally along the bone and sub-periosteal implants are secured to the surface of the jawbone instead of being secured inside. A dental clinic will be able to advise on the type of dental implant most suitable for individual patients.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants are a method of tooth restoration for missing teeth that feels completely natural once the osseointegration process is complete and because the gum tissue grows around the implant, the patient will feel no difference between the implant and a tooth root. Dental implants provide a false tooth that will not move or adjust position when eating, offering more confidence than dentures.

The appearance of the replica tooth is the main advantage of dental implants over other procedures to replace missing teeth. Dental implants with dental crowns attached look as natural as real teeth and will not be noticeable when you smile. Dental implant surgery is a permanent solution to missing teeth and patients will never have to replace the implant. *

Cost of dental implants

The cost of dental implants can be prohibitively high if patients have treatment in the Us, UK or Canada. One dental implant to replace one missing tooth can cost as much as $4000 USD and to replace a full set of missing teeth can exceed $40,000USD. The cost of dental implants in Mexico is averagely $1000 per implant.

*No dental procedure has a 100% lifetime guarantee. Progressive gum disease or serious infection may loosen the tissue holding the dental implant in place and the procedure may need repeating. This is rare and most patients undergo dental implant surgery only once.