New Report Concludes that Dental Implants Can Save Costs and Improve Quality of Life
A report published as the lead article in the Mar-April 2013 International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants shows that dental implants offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional treatments for tooth replacement.
The report, which is also cited on PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine located at the National Institutes of Health, is based on a systematic review of all available studies published in English between 2000 and 2010 relating to the cost-effectiveness of various tooth-replacement options. In total, 14 studies on long-term dental implant costs vs traditional costs were included in the final review, which yielded the following conclusions:
For single-tooth implant replacement, implant-based solutions were generally cost-saving or cost-effective in comparison with traditional tooth-borne prostheses (bridges).
For patients with full dentures, dental implant solutions were associated with higher initial costs than traditional (non-fixed) dentures. However, the consensus of most studies was that, over the long term, dental implants represent a cost-effective treatment option.
Dental Implants Improve Quality of Life
Additionally, patient acceptance, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for dental implants were high, particularly in elderly patients who had no teeth. A trend toward overall improved oral-health-related quality of life and decreased overall health care costs was also reported.
A key objective of this review was to conduct an extensive literature search and to consolidate all the relevant findings into one document that could serve as a single point of reference for healthcare professionals and patients. The fact that it has been published by a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal endorses the quality of the authors’ research.
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.
Dental implants are artificial roots (usually titanium) and teeth that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and always enhance or restore a patient’s smile! Normal chewing function is a tremendous benefit that is only provided by dental implants, when replacing removable partial or full dentures.
What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?
The process of getting implants may require a number of visits over several months.
X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. Then, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With some implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time. The process is done with appropriate sedation and use of local anesthetics, making the procedure a comfortable and even pleasant experience.