What are dental implants?

 For those of you who have lost one or more teeth and want a more long-term solution, dental implants are a good alternative. With dental implants, titanium screws are operated into the jaw, to which the false teeth are then attached. The new teeth are stable and feel like real teeth. Losing one or more teeth affects not only your appearance but also your ability to chew. Impaired chewing ability means that you can not enjoy the food and can lead to other dental problems. If you are completely toothless, you cannot eat solid food. 

For more details, read our FAQs here.

The benefits of dental implants

Replacing lost teeth usually requires a denture that is either removable or permanent ( dental implants ). There are both pros and cons to the different dentures, but if you want permanent teeth that feel real, dental implants are best. Another advantage is that you do not have to have healthy surrounding teeth that act as support for the new tooth, such as with a dental bridge. Instead, the new tooth becomes a support for surrounding teeth.

Preparations

Before a dental implant treatment, the dentist examines whether your jawbone is healthy and strong. You have to make sure that the jawbone holds the implant. The screws cannot attach if the bone is too porous. Dentists may in some cases assess that certain measures are required before the treatment:

• Bad teeth. The teeth must be pulled out and the jawbone must heal first.

• Stop smoking well in advance of the operation.

• Too little jawbone . A bone graft must be done to build up the jaw. Bones are taken from another part of the body. In some cases, artificial bone is used.

 

Treatment in two parts

A maxillofacial surgeon implants titanium screws in the jawbone. The screws act as an artificial root. From the screws protrude small extensions called spacers. Then the artificial tooth or tooth row is attached to the spacers. Before the teeth are attached to the spacers, the screws must grow into the jawbone first. It can take up to six months. In the meantime, you get a removable denture and it is important that you keep your mouth clean to reduce the risk of inflammation and other problems.

 

After the operation

After the operation, you will receive antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. Some also need to take painkillers. Inflammation with swelling, soreness and bleeding are common side effects after a dental implant surgery, but the symptoms are temporary. It is important that you keep your teeth and mouth clean by regularly rinsing your mouth with saline and chlorhexidine solution. Do not expose the jawbone to stress - you may need to eat liquid food in the beginning if you have had surgery on the entire jaw.

Checks and return visits

You need to check the implants regularly. You do the checks on your own at home when you brush your teeth. Do your teeth feel stable? Are they whole? Is it bleeding? You go to the dentist to examine the jawbone and the implants. The dentist takes several X-rays to see if the implants are fitted correctly. It is important that you go for regular check-ups at the dentist for a couple of years after the operation to make sure that the implant has not changed.

 

How long do dental implants last?

If you keep your mouth clean and take good care of the dental implants, they can last as long as a real tooth. But there are several factors that affect its longevity.

• What the jawbone looks like at the time of surgery

• How the operation went

• If you are a smoker

• Antidepressant drugs (SSRIs) may have a negative effect on dental implants

 

How much do dental implants cost?

Giving an exact figure for what a dental implant costs is difficult as the cost depends on several different factors. The price is determined depending on how many implants need to be done, what type of treatment you want and what type of dental work is required. In addition, the price is affected by what material you want on the various components, such as porcelain or metal. And which crown you want. Thus, it is completely impossible to enter an exact number. The price can vary depending on whether you want to replace an entire row of teeth, or a single implant, where only one tooth needs to be replaced. To find out what your treatment will cost, you should consult with your dentist who can give you an estimated price.

 

Remember that you have the high-cost protection

Since July 1, 2008, we in Sweden have a high-cost protection for dental care that partly pays for prosthetic treatments. The high-cost protection means that the Swedish Social Insurance Agency covers 50 percent of the cost of treatments that exceed SEK 3,000 according to a reference price. For treatments that exceed SEK 15,000, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency covers 85 percent of this according to the reference price. The reference price is the price set by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency for various treatments. As Sweden has free pricing for dental care, each clinic can set its own price. It is therefore important that you compare the clinic's price with the reference price.