Dental implants are a useful and popular restorative procedure to replace damaged teeth with artificial teeth that closely resemble the original ones. An implant has three components, a body, an abutment, and a screw. The body is inserted into the jawbone and works as the tooth’s root. An abutment is attached to the body and extends through the gums on which surgeons attach the artificial teeth. Now, let’s learn about the benefits, types, and costs of dental implants.

Benefits of dental implants
You can choose dental implants if you have lost one or more teeth due to aging, injury, trauma, or gum disease. One of the biggest problems arising out of the loss of teeth is chewing and speaking difficulty. Dental implants restore a person’s appearance and ability to chew and speak. It helps in better digestion in seniors. It prevents loss and shrinking of the jawbone and keeps the gums and jawbone healthy. They are also resistant to infection when compared to natural teeth. It prevents further loss of teeth. They are safe as they are made from high-quality materials like titanium or zirconium oxide.

Types of dental implants
The three main types of dental implants are Endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic implants.

• Endosteal
  Endosteal is the most common type of implant as it heals faster and can be fitted for persons with healthy jawbones. Mostly made of titanium, they are small and shaped like screws. They are placed in the jawbone and protrude through the gum. Doctors fix the crown or the artificial tooth on the implant. Doctors recommend it for patients who are healthy and have good oral health and do not have any gum disease. The healing will take many months, and you should quit using tobacco-related products.
• Subperiosteal implants
  If a person needs an implant but does not have an adequate jawbone, the implants are attached to a metal plane around the bone to keep it in place. The implants may appear like screws, blades, or cylinders. They place the implants and wait for three months, during which the titanium implants bind to the bone. Once this happens, it forms a strong foundation for the surgeons to place the artificial teeth. Unlike dentures, these implants do not move, and you can choose artificial teeth that closely match your natural tooth color. The waiting period for subperiosteal implants is shorter than that of endosteal implants.
• Zygomatic implants
  If a person has bone loss in the upper jawbone, doctors place these implants on the cheekbone or zygomatic bone, and they fuse faster than other implants. It is also suitable for people with cleft lip or palate. One zygomatic implant can support 3-4 teeth and is ideal for people requiring more than one artificial tooth or for anyone with severe bone loss. The implant procedure can be completed in one day, unlike traditional implants, which take six to nine months.

Cost of dental implants
A dental insurance plan may cover the cost of implants if a patient suffers tooth loss due to an accident, while only some plans partially cover the cost of cosmetic implants. The cost of the examination, 3D imaging, cost of tooth extraction, installation of the implant, placement of the abutment, and cost of fabrication and crown are some factors that contribute to the cost of dental implants. The cost per tooth implant can range between $3,000 and $4,500. The cost of a full-mouth implant could range between $60,000 and above.