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A dental implant is also known as an artificial tooth root. It is a widespread tooth loss and extraction replacement option. It provides a strong foundation for fixed or removable teeth replacement which also matches the color of the natural teeth. As the name suggests, dental implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone, where they merge with the natural bone over time.Dental implants resemble the shape of a screw and have three features; the implant/screw that serves as the root and is placed in the jawbone of the mouth, the abutment, which is the part connecting the root and the surface, and the crown which is the fake tooth typically made of porcelain material. Dental crowns are designed to look like a natural tooth and enable you to carry out normal functions like eating, drinking, and speaking easily.
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These are slightly different from regular implants as they are longer and require more skill and training to place. Zygomatic implants are also a bit costlier than regular dental implants.They are specially designed for patients with missing teeth who have suffered significant bone and gum loss. They are also a great option, allowing dentists to skip bone grafting surgeries.
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Dental implants are covered by some insurance plans, while others may not or just cover part of them. The crown linked to the implant, for example, may be covered by the insurance plan while others aren’t. Aside from that, some insurance plans only cover dental implant surgery if it’s medically necessary and not just for aesthetics.To know more about this, ensure you have a detailed conversation with your dentist and insurance provider to learn more about your needs and how they relate to the insurance plan you signed up for.
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Before anything, confirm if your insurance provider can pay for the dental implant surgery. If they can’t, they may be able to cover a part of the procedure like tooth extraction (if that needs to be done). You can also get insurance coverage if your dental implants are deemed medically necessary (that is, it will cause a decline in health). This is primarily if your missing teeth are from an accident or severe injury. Ensure you speak with the dentist or other person in charge of benefits in the clinic to review your insurance and maximize all benefits you deserve.Reference website: Forbes.com.