During July '03 - March '04 implant procedures were up 8% to 12% year-over-year. On average, implant surgeons expect the number implants performed in their practices to be up 7% to 11% during April through October of '04. "The increase in implants has more to do with the fact that patients are becoming more familiar with implants, more comfortable with them. People seeking implants today are more often referring themselves, rather than a dentist referring them for the implant," one surgeon said.

While dental implants are expensive in the short term, they are long-lasting and more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework since they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. It is impossible to put a price tag on some of the esthetic and health benefits of dental implants. Dental implants integrate with the jawbone to help prevent the loss of bone that accompanies conventional dentures or bridges. Loss of bone can lead to visible defects for people missing a single tooth or collapsed smiles for people who have lost all of their teeth. Additionally, one must keep in mind that bridges are not permanent and need to be replaced, on average about every 7-10 years.

Another deterrent often cited was the time commitment involved in getting implants. The survey found that on average placing a single implant takes between five-and-a-half and seven-and-a-half months. After the implant is placed, it usually takes about two to six months for it to bond with the bone to form an anchor for the artificial tooth. During this time a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn. Often, a second step is then necessary to uncover the implant and attach an extension, which completes the foundation for the new tooth.

Recent advances in implant dentistry have allowed surgeons to decrease the time between implant placement and final restoration. Both Replace Select by Nobel Biocare and Osstem dental implants, allow either one or two-stage implant placement depending upon location and bone quality of the edentulous area. Dr. Berkovich often places immediate implants in cases of maxillary anterior teeth extractions, which could save as much as 3-6 months of waiting time, and she also prefers a one-stage approach when placing implants in posterior edentulous spaces.

The level of pain or discomfort that the majority of patients experience in the process of getting implants is very little to none. Many periodontists observe that their patients have commented after getting implants that they were surprised by the lack of pain.

Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.