What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer a long-lasting and permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. Tooth loss, whether due to injury, decay, or other factors, can have implications beyond cosmetics, impacting overall oral health. Our dental implants provide an effective remedy for patients who have lost one or more teeth.
A dental implant serves as an artificial tooth root, typically constructed of biocompatible material like titanium, and is surgically implanted into the jawbone.
Once the implant fully integrates with the jawbone, we affix a custom crown to restore the missing tooth's appearance and functionality.
How much do Dental Implants Cost in South Africa?
Dental implants represent a significant investment in enhancing your comfort and quality of life. They offer a comfortable, fixed, and permanent solution for missing teeth, delivering a natural look and feel.
The cost of dental implants can vary, typically ranging from R20 000 to R200 000, depending on your specific requirements. While it may seem substantial, dental implant prices at JJS Dentistry remain competitive compared to overseas options.
Factors influencing cost include:
- Brands and quality of implants: We prioritise top-quality products for long-lasting results.
- Number of teeth being replaced: Each tooth is individually priced.
- Bone grafting: Additional costs may apply when bone augmentation is necessary.
- Laboratory fees: These fees cover the creation of ceramic teeth to attach to the implants.
Dr JJ Serfontein will create a customised treatment plan for your unique needs, comprehensively explaining the project and associated costs.
Dr JJ Serfontein will create a customised treatment plan for your unique needs, comprehensively explaining the project and associated costs.
Do I need Dental Implants?
Tooth loss can lead to structural changes in the jawbone, resulting in weakened bones that are prone to shifting. These shifts can alter facial features and hinder essential functions such as chewing, speaking, and smiling comfortably.
Dental implants offer a solution that closely resembles natural teeth, providing individuals with the confidence to eat, speak, and smile. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants boast a lifetime lifespan when cared for properly, making them a cost-effective choice for addressing tooth loss.
If you’re grappling with the decision between implants and dentures after tooth loss, here are key factors to weigh.
Dentures:
- Tend to warp and break over time
- Need to be removed to brush and clean
- Shift when you eat or speak over time
Dental Implants:
- Strong, durable and remain fixed in place like natural teeth
- Require little maintenance other than your regular oral hygiene routine
- Maintain their shape and stay fixed in place
When comparing dental implants with other tooth replacement options, such as dentures, they are far superior in terms of functionality and comfort.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
The process of obtaining dental implants may seem complex, but our specialised team will provide meticulous guidance at every stage. Dental implants consist of three components: the dental screw, the abutment, and the crown.
After the implant site fully heals, a second surgery is performed to affix the abutment to the screw. The final phase involves placing the dental crown, which closely resembles and functions like a natural tooth, onto the abutment.
Dr JJ Serfontein offers both single-tooth and bridge implant options to replace one or multiple teeth. Maintaining your implant is straightforward, requiring no special cleaning methods. Regular brushing and flossing are sufficient to keep your implant in excellent condition.
It’s essential to schedule routine check-ups with your dentist at least twice a year. During these appointments, your dentist will assess the implant’s condition and address any inquiries you may have.
What to expect at your appointments
First Appointment
During your first appointment, we will discuss your specific dental concerns and conduct assessments to look at your eligibility for implants. This typically entails evaluating the bone density and volume in the region where the tooth or teeth are missing.
Subsequently, personalised treatment plans are crafted to align with your requirements and lifestyle. Once you are satisfied with the treatment plan, we move forward with advanced planning and diagnostic assessments. These commonly involve CBCT radiographs and the utilisation of digital impressions.
Second Appointment
At the second appointment, we proceed with the implant placements. While a simple dental implant can be completed in less than 20 minutes, more intricate cases may require 1-4 hours. We offer a variety of conscious sedation methods to ensure your comfort and relaxation during the procedure.
Following the procedure, the implant site may be tender, and it requires a healing period before your final appointment, where we will fit your new tooth.
Third Appointment
The third appointment typically occurs 6 - 12 weeks after implant placement. We perform a fusion assessment during the visit to ensure the implant has integrated properly. If you’re receiving a single implant restoration, your final crown will be custom-made and attached on this day. However, additional impressions and planning steps may be necessary for complex cases in the final stages.
What Is The Dental Implant Planning Process?
The journey to dental implants begins with a personalised treatment plan at your chosen JJS Dentistry location. Implants are permanent fixtures to your mouth, requiring careful planning. Dr JJ Serfontein will assess pre-existing conditions and address your questions and concerns. Factors like gum health and bone density can impact your surgery.
In cases of jawbone erosion (bone resorption), a bone graft procedure may be necessary to restore a solid foundation. After addressing your bone structure, dental implant surgery will be scheduled. During surgery, the team will place the implant screw and fuse it with your jawbone. After a healing period, the abutment will be placed.
Once the abutment heals, the team will attach the crown, giving you a permanent false tooth that closely mimics a natural one.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With proper care, your dental implant can have a long lifespan, often lasting for decades. However, like natural teeth, even implants are subject to wear and tear and may require replacements or restorations over time. Molar implants, which can handle the demands of chewing, may need replacement more frequently than those at the front of the mouth.
Typically, dental implants should be replaced every 10 - 20 years, depending on your oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups. Consistent six-month dental check-ups allow your dentist to detect potential issues early and address them before they lead to significant damage.
What Is The Recovery Time For Dental Implants?
Dental implant procedures are intricate and require a substantial recovery period. A standard healing time of approximately 4 months between bone grafting and implant surgery is common in cases involving jawbone restoration.
Following the placement of the implant screw, the bone needs time to heal and fuse with the screw. Healing durations can range from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on your individual circumstances. Typically, you can expect your jaw to heal fully within 6-12 months.
During healing, you must avoid crunchy or hard foods such as nuts and steak.
Dental Implant recovery time can be affected by the following factors:
- Whether or not you require bone grafting
- The number of dental implants you receive at a time
- How strictly you adhere to your treatment plan
- Any health factors unique to you and your ability to heal
- Smoking
- Diabetes
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental Implants are a massive investment in your comfort and quality of life. They are a comfortable, fixed and permanent solution to missing teeth, and they look and feel just like natural teeth.
That said, it is difficult to estimate the costs of dental implants because so many factors determine the pricing. Factors that influence the cost of dental implants include:
- Whether you need bone grafting
- How many implants you need
- Whether you have gum concerns
- Whether you need a tooth extraction
Thankfully, Dr JJ Serfontein will tailor a treatment plan for your unique case and will thoroughly explain the project and all associated costs with you.
Getting dental implants in South Africa costs a fraction of what you'd pay overseas, and you would still receive world-class service with highly skilled dentists that strictly adhere to international safety standards.
