Cost of Dental Implants

March 16th, 2011

There is no hiding the fact that dental implants are expensive. Single tooth dental implant treatments range from $2500 to $7500. When attempting to explain why they are so expensive it is necessary to understand that the consumer is not buying a product but rather a service. It is very easy to forget this fact when price shopping. Dental implants are “medical devices” implanted into living tissue. This living tissue also is home to nerves, blood vessels and sinuses. The placement of dental implants is both art and science.

A dental implant has the potential to last a lifetime. This is a fantastic potential when the implant is positioned well. Unfortunately, if the implant is poorly positioned this can begin a horrible nightmare for many years to come. The oral cavity is such a small surgical environment that as little as two millimeter errors can be the difference between success and failure. The removal of a poorly placed implant is difficult, destroys bone and is expensive. Who performs your dental implant treatment directly affects your chances of success. Studies have proven that “experience” does positively affect the outcome of dental implant treatment.

The cost of purchasing the materials varies wildly in the industry. This directly affects the retail price for the consumer. Good practices balance supply cost with results. A quality-oriented practitioner will use the system he or she can find that routinely yields great results. Unfortunately, most of the time, there is little correlation between consumer cost and quality. (A doctor with little experience may charge as much as someone with many years of experience simply because of the fees of other doctors in their area.) Offices base their fees on a variety of factors which include: supply cost, laboratory cost, regional averages, treatment difficulty and ego.

When one considers all of the above factors, cost seems a little less important. Beware those practices that are on either extreme. There is little justification for those practices charging in excess of $2000 for the implant, or $2000 for the crown. Unless bone grafting is necessary, there is no justifying a single implant restoration where cost approaches $5000. Conversely, those practices where the implant is $1000 and the crown is $1000 should also raise concern. At these prices, one can only consider this an attempt to be a high volume office. This is one procedure that requires education, experience, patience and caution. It cannot be done in a rush, on a high volume basis, like Lasik surgery.

While there is no dental implant specialty there are specialties that have unique training that directly benefit the dental implant patient. Prosthodontics is an American Dental Association (ADA) recognized specialty that requires three additional years of advanced training in dental implants, crowns, bridges and dentures. Within the American College of Prosthodontists there is a subgroup of 375 members who have earned their Board Certification. Finding a board certified prosthodontist is one important step in giving oneself a good chance for successful dental implant treatment.

Tags: cost of dental implants, experience, implant surgeon, potential, price, quality, success
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USA, The Smile Nation

February 8th, 2011

Most Europeans can identify a U.S. citizen by their smile. Why do Americans put so much emphasis on our smiles? I am not sure anyone can accurately answer this question but smiles are important to us.

It seems that every family has a turning point in one or two generations where the children get more than their share of dental care. As society has placed more emphasis on the smile, parents are very motivated to prevent their children from suffering the same social and financial dental problems that were expected in past generations.

Early trips to the dentist and orthodontist were common starting about 1960. Now, U.S. citizens are known worldwide by our teeth. For older Americans keeping up with their smiles can be a full time commitment. Many middle-aged and older Americans have decided they have the time, motivation and means of turning back the hands of time for their smile.

The dental specialty called “Prosthodontics” is tailor-made for this demographic. A “Prosthodontist” has three additional years of dental training in a formal residency program after finishing four years of dental school. A Prosthodontist is the expert in crowns, bridges, dental implants, dentures and partials. Check out www.prosthodontics.org for more information.

Tags: bridges, crowns, dental care, dental implants, dental problems, Dentures, Partials, Prosthodontics, prosthodontist, smile
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Are you looking for a dentist that “specializes” in Dentistry? Try a Prosthodontist!

January 31st, 2011

Are you looking for a dentist that “specializes” in Dentistry?
Try a Prosthodontist?

Prosthodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the restoration and replacement of damaged or missing teeth. A prosthodontic dental professional is called a prosthodontist. In order to obtain a certificate to practice prosthodontics a dentist must complete three additional years of advanced education beyond (4 years of) dental school. During these three additional years a prosthodontic resident studies to become the engineer of the oral cavity. Like any very technical field there is more to know than anyone could imagine.
It may not be obvious but the human mouth is a very complex system. The simple process of speech, chewing and swallowing takes a well orchestrated effort. This process is taken for granted until there is a disruption in the system. Dental work is a disruption in the system. A prosthodontist is the only dentist formally educated in the complete system. A prosthodontist is well versed in replacing missing teeth by using crowns, bridges, implants, extractions, partial and full dentures.
When considering dental work it is wise to educate oneself before choosing a dental professional. The national organization website, www.prosthodontics.org, is an excellent resource to further educate the consumer about the specialty of prosthodontics.

Tags: bridges, crowns, implants, missing teeth, prosthodontics.org, specialist
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The Trouble with Dentures and Partials…. And the Solution

January 25th, 2011

People with dentures often suffer a number of different compromises. There are a few basic causes of the problems.

First, dentures and partials are artificial substitutes that are nothing like the original teeth. Dentures are much larger than the teeth they replace. Because of the size difference most patients only survive with dentures for lack a better alternative.

Second, bite force is reduced by as much as 75%. When attempting to chew food, denture wearers must chew much longer than non-denture wearers. Most of the time denture wearers substitute softer, fattier food for the preferred food.

Third, as the mouth remodels (loses bone) after tooth loss, the dentures begin to slip. Many times a denture wearer must compensate for this slippage by using adhesives, retraining the facial muscles or guarding their enthusiasm.

Dental implants have given denture wearers hope. As few as two dental implants can solve all of the above problems. If a patient chooses more than two implants the possibilities for improvement are dramatically increased. Many patients choose to use more implants and do away with dentures altogether.

Dental specialists called Prosthodontists are the experts in dental implant treatment. A Prosthodontist is also the expert in crowns, bridges, dentures and partials.

Tags: dental implants, denture wearers, Dentures, Partials
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Esthetic/Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, dental implants

January 22nd, 2011

The term “Esthetic” or “Cosmetic” Dentistry has been used frequently in the dental industry. The concept of “Cosmetic Dentistry” is ill defined by the dental industry. The reason for the quotations around the phrase is because there is no such specialty in dentistry. The term “Cosmetic Dentistry” is used to imply that one particular dentist is more versed in nice appearing outcomes than others. Of course, this is only a marketing ploy. A dentist who calls themselves anything other than a General Dentist is attempting to market themselves to a different type of patient or a different demographic. This marketing ploy implies advanced training or superior results. The exceptions to this are dental specialists. Only a dental specialist can call themselves by a recognized specialty designation.
All true dental specialties require at least three additional years of advanced training. The recognized dental specialties are: Endodontics (root canals), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry (children), Oral Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Orthodontics (braces), Periodontics (gums), Prosthodontics (reconstructive and esthetic dentistry) and Community Health (government dentistry).
When reviewing this list you will not the absence of “Cosmetic Dentistry”. The American Dental Association website, www.ada.org, can be used to verify this information.

Tags: Cosmetic dentistry, Esthetic dentistry
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The Importance of Board Certification

November 15th, 2010

Best Intentions and The Importance of Board Certification

Fall 2010- ACP Messenger, published by the American College of Prosthodontists

New Prosthodontic graduates often ask, “Why should I take the Boards?”
The American Board of Prosthodontics (ABP/Board) certification should be viewed as the final validation in the educational progression of your residency program. The board examination is an external reaffirmation of what the program director hoped was taught and what the candidate hoped was learned.

The New York Times recently reported on a study published in Health Affairs, By Norcini et al, evaluating the quality of care provided by graduates of internal medical schools. An interesting finding was that the lessening of patient mortality rates correlated directly with being “Board Ccertified” than where the individual trained.

Only 1of 3 “educationally trained” Prosthodontists is Board Certified compared to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical colleagues’ numbers 9 of 10. Diplomate status is the “gold standard” for professional competency within medicine and dentistry and is recognized by the general public when they seek out “Board Certified” specialists for their care.

(Both Dr. Paradis and Dr. McFadden are Board Certified by the American Board of Prosthodontists.)

Tags: Board Certified, Prosthodontics, Prosthodontists
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‘Jailbreak’ Bateria Can Trigger Heart Disease

November 4th, 2010

Science Daily (Sept. 6, 2010) – Plaque-causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack, says a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting in Nottingham.

Professor Howard Jenkinson, from the University of Bristol explains how oral bacteria can wreak havoc if they are not kept in check by regular brushing and flossing. “Poor dental hygiene can lead to bleeding gums, providing bacteria with an escape route into the bloodstream, where they can initiate blood clots leading to heart disease,” he said.

Streptococcus bacteria commonly live in the mouth, confined within communities termed “biofilms” and are responsible for causing tooth plaque and gum disease. The University of Bristol researchers, in collaboration with scientists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), have shown that once let loose in the bloodstream, Streptococcus bacteria can use a protein on their surface, called PadA, as a weapon to force platelets in the blood to bind together and form clots.

Introducing blood clots is a selfish trick used by bacteria, as Professor Jenkinson points out. “When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection,” he said. “Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves (endocarditis), or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain.”

Professor Jenkinson said the research highlights a very important public health message. “People need to be aware that as well as keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimize their risk of heart problems.”

Tags: heart disease, plaque-causing bacteria, public health message
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Only 1% of people with missing teeth get implants.

October 26th, 2010

Internationally known dental researcher and lecturer Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD, speaking at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry annual meeting said that 99% of edentulous and partially edentulous patients do not get dental implants and the specialty must become more mainstream and the procedure more affordable top serve this unmet need.

“There are 178 million people in the United States who are missing one or more teeth and only 1% of them get implants. That means there is enormous opportunity for dentists to add implants to their practices and help the procedure to become more mainstream.
Of all implant cases, 9 in 10 require a single implant”, he said.

Christensen said that seniors are a prime market for implants but the cost of the procedure prohibits many from getting the implants they need. “We need to serve this population with affordable implants that can improve their quality of life”, said Christensesn.

Tags: affordable implants, dental implants, missing one or more teeth, seniors
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Stem cells used to re-implant teeth

October 15th, 2010

A new approach to anchor teeth back in the jaw using stem cells have been developed and been successfully tested in the laboratory for the first time by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The new strategy represents a potential major advance in the battle against gum disease. About 80% of U.S. adults suffer from gum disease according to The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Researchers in UIC’s Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics used stem cells obtained from the periodontal ligament of molars extracted from mice, expanded them in an incubator, then seated them on barren rat molars. The stem cell treated molars were reinserted into the tooth sockets of rats. After four months, the stem cells aligned and formed new fibrous attachments between the tooth and bone. Tissue sections showed that the replanted tooth was surrounded by newly formed, functional periodontal fibers and new cementum, which is the outer surface of the tooth root. In contrast, molars that were replanted without new stem cells were either lost or loosely attached and resorbed. The study, published in an online issue of the journal, “Tissue Engineering “, was funded through a grant by the National Institutes of Health. To verify that the ligament was formed by the transplanted stem cells and not by the animal’s own cells, stem cells were labeled with green fluorescent protein. According to researchers, this strategy could be used for replanting teeth that were lost due to trauma or as a novel approach for tooth replacement using tooth shaped implants.

Tags: gum disease, impant, periodontal ligament, Stem cell, teeth
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Dental Implants vs. General Dentistry

July 1st, 2010

Dental implants allow for the replacement of missing teeth without grinding on good teeth to make bridges. Many conventional dental procedures are still indicated today. However, with the advent of dental implants, many of those procedures are becoming outdated or contraindicated. For decades, the dental profession has advocated the preservation of natural teeth and natural tooth structure. This concept is certainly upheld when using dental implants for tooth replacement. The need for removal of healthy tooth structure (enamel) has been eliminated by dental implant treatment.

Dentists agree that a tooth often begins a downward spiral after being touched by a dental drill for the first time. Patients and practitioners alike have agonized over the decision to grind on healthy teeth. We, as practitioners, see conventional crown and bridgework fail prematurely. Several studies on crowns and bridges found an average 9-10 year life expectancy in the United States. Until about 1985 our choices for tooth replacement were poor, at best. Since implants have become the “standard of care” for tooth replacement our choices have improved dramatically.

The use of dental implants gives three more benefits rarely discussed:

1. Dental implants strengthen the dentition (entire set of teeth). By adding a dental implant where a tooth is missing, we are replacing the root and the crown (top) which is missing, thereby potentially increasing the life expectancy of surrounding teeth. In some ways the implant is more solid than the tooth it is replacing. Bridges and partials weaken the dentition by forcing other teeth to carry the burden of the missing ones.
2. Dental implants preserve the bone levels that are present when a tooth is lost. Without the implant the bone will slowly reabsorb (melt away) because there is no stimulus to keep it in place.
3. Dental implants do not decay. By far, the most common reason for a crown or a bridge to fail is because decay starts at the margin where the crown meets the natural tooth. Titanium implants cannot decay.

Below we contrast implant dentistry with more traditional forms of dentistry:

When a person is missing one tooth there are two options for replacement, a single tooth dental implant or a three-unit bridge.

Several Missing Teeth

Removable partial dentures (RPD) have been used by dental patients to replace missing teeth for over a century. Simply by considering the phrase one can understand why they are really outdated treatment options; removable, by the patient several times per day. Partial denture indicates it is a denture on a smaller scale. Most people would choose to have “fixed” (cemented or screw retained) teeth if given the option. Fixed teeth on dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth.

Missing All Teeth
	Complete dentures have been a nemesis of mankind since they were invented. Though they do replace missing teeth and can be esthetically pleasing, there are few other accolades about dentures. Most dentures wearers admit that they would “do anything” to save their teeth if given the opportunity. Dentures are difficult to adapt to, uncomfortable to wear, painful to chew with and can cause public humiliation. Most denture wearers claim that dentures alter their lifestyle significantly.

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