What you need to know about dental implants
By Laura Briedis
As implant dentistry grows in popularity, more and more patients are inquiring about this advanced technique. Here, Dr. Sanjay Karunagaran (Dr. K) of Frontier Dental shares some FAQs with Mimi readers.
As a prosthodontist, Dr. K specializes in treating dental issues that involve restoring missing teeth. Uniquely qualified to treat dental implant patients, Dr. K has completed an additional three years of specialty training after dental school.
Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?
A. If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, dental implants can improve your appearance and self-confidence by replacing what you have lost. Functionally, implants increase your ability to bite with more force so you can chew food better. They also can prevent bone loss in your jaws as they help maintain bone height, and they preserve your other teeth by avoiding the need to cut down adjacent teeth to make bridges.
And for those who have dentures that don’t fit well, they can be secured to implants, which improves function and confidence.
Q. Who is a good candidate for implants?
A. Everyone is a candidate because there are no restrictions on implants, including age. There are several variables that we look at to determine if implants are possible and, in general, most patients can improve their oral health with implants.
Q. Does insurance cover dental implants?
A. Yes, most dental insurances cover implants. If your dentist is in-network, implants are usually partially covered. Dental insurances cover an annual maximum, so patients are required to pay the balance once this maximum is used. The benefit of dental insurance is that even if you exceed your annual maximum, the cost is still reasonable for patients.
If you do not have dental insurance, that is okay. Most offices have methods to help you fund your dental treatment.
Frontier Dental is located at 5155 Buehlers Drive, Suite 107, in Medina. For an appointment, call 330-952-2015 or visit FrontierDental.org for more information.