Missing teeth do more than change your smile's aesthetics; they can affect the health and stability of all your remaining teeth. After tooth loss, the jaw begins to lose bone, and adjacent teeth shift towards the gap and loosen. This often leads to more tooth loss, and in the meantime, shifting teeth can affect both the strength of your bite and your confidence in your smile. To stop this process and restore your teeth, we offer dental implants.
Dental implants are designed to support replacement teeth that will look, feel, and function just like the original. A titanium post is implanted directly into the jawbone, which prevents bone loss and provides a strong foundation for the tooth restoration. Read more about the procedure of receiving implants.
Most people who seek dental implants have lost a tooth or teeth to trauma, gum disease, tooth decay or bone loss. A single dental implant can restore your smile's aesthetics and its stability; multiple dental implants can provide support for a dental prosthetic or even completely restore smiles when multiple teeth have been lost.
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth, and have many benefits, even beyond those offered by other tooth replacements.
Implants are virtually impossible to tell apart from your natural teeth.
Implants don’t stress the adjacent teeth like a dental bridge can. Instead, they support and strengthen your entire smile.
Unlike partial or full dentures, which must be adjusted and replaced over time, dental implants are a more permanent solution which can last the rest of your life.
Dental implants help preserve your facial structure and prevent additional bone loss, since the bone is stimulated to grow around the implant and stay viable.
When you come to us for a consultation, Dr. Postol will give you an in-depth exam, looking at your damaged tooth or extraction site, your underlying bone density and structure, and your gum health. In many cases, a dental implant can be placed in stages over the course of a few months, resulting in a restored, healthy smile and a new tooth that will last for decades.
While most people are able to receive dental implants, not everyone is a candidate for the procedure. Find out whether you are likely to qualify for dental implants here.
Because dental implants are typically considered an elective procedure, most dental insurance companies do not cover the cost of dental implants. However, some insurance companies are starting to cover portions of the implant procedure, such as the dental crown or the original tooth extraction. The only way to determine what your insurance company will cover is to contact your provider and ask about your personal policy, exclusions, waiting periods, and copays.
Although the cost of dental implants can vary depending on each patient’s oral health and personal needs, single-tooth dental implants cost an average of $4,250. Dental implants cost more because installing them is a more in-depth process that can involve additional procedures such as CT scans, bone grafting, and surgical extractions. However, as with anything else, you get what you pay for, and dental implants are a wise investment. We are willing to work with you when it comes to financing your dental implants. We always try to keep costs down, and can often do an implant, abutment, and crown for as low as $2,800.
While it is true that dental implants tend to cost more upfront than other restorations like dentures or partial bridges, they tend to be a much more cost-effective alternative because they last significantly longer and they can be installed one at a time. For example, dental implants can last upwards of 25 years with proper maintenance, while dentures typically need to be replaced every 3-5 years. Also, since dental implants help to maintain bone tissue, they can preserve your natural face shape and prevent the need for future bone grafts.
Don’t live with a missing tooth gap in your mouth, risking additional tooth loss and feeling self-conscious about your smile. Ask if you are a good candidate for the dental implant procedure!
The Consumer's Research Council of America has awarded Dr. Postol a "Top Dentist" listing every year since 2008.
Kevin F. Postol, DDS, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry | 15208 Manchester Road | Ballwin, MO 63011 | Phone: (636) 394-6044
Serving Ballwin, St. Louis, Ellisville, Manchester, and surrounding areas
