I. What is dental implant? As the saying goes, “You reap what you sow, you get what you sow”, so can you plant a tooth and get a tooth? The answer is yes – this is dental implant. Dental implants are known as the “third set of teeth” for human beings other than milk teeth and permanent teeth. It adopts a bionic method to surgically implant an implant made of pure titanium metal with a shape similar to the root of a natural tooth into the alveolar bone to form an artificial root after the implant is integrated with the bone; then an artificial crown is installed on the implant to repair the missing tooth. The emergence of dental implant technology is one of the most important technological revolutions in the field of dentistry. Second, what are the advantages and disadvantages of dental implants? The advantages of dental implants are: 1. The retention method is similar to natural teeth, beautiful, comfortable, easy to use and almost indistinguishable from real teeth; 2. The pure titanium implant has good biocompatibility and can be well bonded with the alveolar bone, rooted in the jawbone like real teeth, with strong retention and stability, chewing function is better than traditional fixed dentures and movable dentures; 3. Unlike fixed dentures, which need to wear the healthy teeth on both sides, there is no harm to the teeth and mucosa; nor do they use the necessary abutments and rings for removable dentures, which are comfortable and convenient without foreign body sensation, and are conducive to keeping the oral hygiene clean; 4. The best effect can be achieved. Dental implants also have shortcomings. Compared with fixed and removable dentures, the cost is relatively high, the treatment period is longer, and the maintenance measures after the restoration are relatively strict, requiring good cooperation between the patient and the doctor. Third, are dental implants painful? Dental implant surgery is a minor alveolar surgery, similar to tooth extraction, using local anesthesia, with little trauma, and can be eaten after surgery, almost painless. The implant is usually placed in less than one hour. Due to the excellent compatibility of the pure titanium material, dental implants do not cause any adverse side effects on the human body. In case of unsuccessful implant placement, the implant can be removed and reimplanted after the wound has healed or replaced with another restoration method. Patients who can undergo minor surgery like tooth extraction can generally undergo dental implant surgery. What are the high risk factors for dental implants? 1. Suffering from psychological and psychiatric diseases and other systemic diseases, such as AIDS, blood diseases, bleeding diseases, etc. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc., dental implant treatment should be performed only after the treatment condition is stabilized and the doctor assesses that it is appropriate. 2. Drug addiction, smoking, alcoholism and dependence on other drugs. 3. Those who have undergone radiation treatment on the jaw and face. 4. Patients with jaw bone lesions and soft tissue lesions in the area of missing teeth, and patients with severe periodontal disease. 5. Insufficient bone in the area to be implanted for bone grafting surgery; 6. Nocturnal edentulism, severe malocclusion, etc. V. How long can dental implants be used? How much does it cost? Dental implants are a very mature technology. The success rate is also very high. The literature reports that the current success rate is over 90% in 10 years. As long as the patient follows the doctor’s instructions, has regular follow-up visits and maintains oral hygiene, dental implants will have better long-term results. However, patients should be aware that all dentures have a certain lifespan, and the lifespan of dental implants is very much related to the maintenance of the denture and oral hygiene of the patient. Dental implants are relatively complex, and their equipment and materials are expensive, so their prices are high, generally between thousands and tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the implant used. What are the steps for dental implants? How long does it usually take? Dental implants usually take about 3 to 4 months to complete the whole restoration process. During the first visit, the doctor will conduct a detailed examination of the patient’s whole body and oral specialty, and design a treatment plan, as well as conduct all necessary auxiliary examinations such as CT and blood tests. If the patient is suitable for dental implant treatment, the implant will be placed at the second visit; 2-3 months after the surgery, the implant will be integrated with the bone and the third visit will be made for the installation of the upper abutment and the taking of impressions; the fourth visit will be made to put on the crown and the restoration will be completed. After the fourth visit, the implant will be placed on the crown and the restoration will be completed. Then, the implant will be maintained at regular visits as required by the doctor.