Dental Discussions: What Is the Future of Dental Implant Technology?

One hundred twenty million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and experts say this number will grow in the next two decades. With so many people missing teeth, the need for advancements in dental implant technology will continue to rise. 

But, how much are dental implants anyway? Aren’t they expensive? The answer isn’t so easy. Yet, dental implants are slowly becoming more affordable with new technology. 

To learn more about the future of dental implant technology, keep reading.

Current Dental Implant Technology

Dental implant procedures are now the standard tooth replacement method rather than bridgework and dentures. Implants are better for bone health because they stimulate bone growth.

Dentists use a 3D Cone beam scan to see the bone, tissue, and tooth color. The clarity is beneficial when preparing for the procedure.

Further, in 2015, the FDA approved X-Guide technology. X-Guide is advanced treatment planning software that offers precise guidance during the dental implant procedure.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The dental implant cost will depend greatly on how many teeth you want to replace. A single replacement usually costs between $3,000 and $6,000. 

But if you replace three or four teeth, you will have more pricing options. This is because two implants can support several neighboring teeth.

Dental implant marketing tactics like those linked here don’t often mention the price of implants. But they are invaluable in bringing patients to dental implant dentists. So, if you see an advertisement, don’t hesitate to call and ask about pricing.

The Future of Dental Technology

An overwhelming majority of implants are successful. Yet, the most common cause of failure is infection. New porous titanium-silica implants will have a reservoir to prevent bacteria from forming a biofilm. The pool will release antimicrobial agents. 

The risk of infection plummets when the bacteria cannot form a biofilm

Another exciting advancement is the use of robot-assisted surgeries. While dentists already have the software (X-Guide) to operate the robotic arm, they are still testing the component itself. Currently, dentists are supervising automated arm procedures to ensure safety.

However, recent tests show this technology will be ready and the standard within the next few years.

The field of nano dentistry is also making great strides. Nanodentistry can improve bone growth. This helps improve the stability and strength of implants. The specialization aims to achieve therapeutic efficiency with few side effects. 

Stem cell research is also playing a role in the future of dental implants. Scientists are looking for ways to replace teeth in a patient’s mouth using stem cells, as sharks can. Since humans have stem cells in their teeth, dentists may eventually extract cells after tooth extraction.

Then the tooth can rebuild itself!

Consider Dental Implants Today

The future of dental implant technology is exciting and cool. Not only are scientists using robots and antimicrobial implants, but patients continue to receive high-quality dental care.

More importantly, the technology makes today’s dental implant practices more affordable.

If you’re interested in reading more about dental implants, check out the Health section above. To get started with your dental implants, search “dental implants near me.”