Molar implants guide: benefits, procedure and costs
Molars, the teeth at the very back of your mouth, have many important jobs to do. They can help you chew food properly, keep your other teeth in line, and support your facial structure. If one or more of your molars is missing or damaged, it can cause serious problems for your oral health. Molar implants are one way to get your smile back. In this article, we’ll cover how dental implants can benefit your smile, the cost, and what to expect during the procedure.
What are molar implants?
A molar implant is a dental implant used to replace one of your molars. These powerhouse teeth are responsible for chewing and keeping your other teeth in line, so missing a molar could cause significant oral health problems.
Molar implants can help restore your ability to chew by inserting a titanium or ceramic post into your jawbone to create a durable tooth “root”. Once the area around the implant heals, you’ll receive a permanent dental crown to restore the structure of your smile. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants are made to last a lifetime.¹
¹Dental implants are made to last a lifetime. Studies show that dental implants are likely to last at least 25 years with proper care and maintenance in most cases.
5 benefits of molar implants
There are several benefits of dental implants for molars, including:
Procedure for molar implants
The procedure for a molar implant mirrors any other dental implant surgery. The only difference is the placement of the implant toward the back of your mouth. The steps in the procedure include the following:
Consultation
If you have a missing or damaged molar and are ready to take action to get your smile back, you’ll first meet with your dentist for a consultation. During this initial meeting, your dentist will take X-rays, ask questions about your dental history, and develop a customized treatment plan for your molar implant. At this stage, they’ll inform you of any pre-implant procedures that need to take place, like a tooth extraction or bone graft. Following any necessary procedures, your care team will allow your mouth to heal before scheduling the implant treatment. Healing times can vary depending on which pre-implant procedure you need.
Day of the procedure
Depending on how many molars need implants and whether you’re having a single tooth done or a bridge, your procedure may last anywhere from thirty minutes to a few hours. When you arrive, your dentist will prep you for the procedure, including getting the appropriate pain management ready so that you’re as comfortable as possible.
The clinician will make an incision through your gum and into your jaw then insert and place the implant post into the jaw. Implant posts are typically made of titanium.
The dentist may give you a temporary crown or healing cap on the day of the procedure. This will help protect your implant as it heals, but you’ll need to be cautious of treating it gently until your permanent crown is put on.
Recovery and healing
In the days after dental implant treatment, you’ll focus on recovering according to the plans your dental care team laid out. You’ll likely need to eat a soft-food diet and avoid exercising and smoking. For the next few months, your implant will heal and bond to your jawbone. Once you’re fully healed, your dentist will bring you back for the final part of the implant process, the crown or bridge placement.
Final smile placement
Once your dentist deems that your mouth has healed sufficiently, they’ll attach an abutment to the implant, which is a connector piece to which your prosthetic will attach. Then, your dentist will place your permanent dental crown, bridge, and you’re ready to get back to smiling, living, and eating as you want.
Understanding the cost of molar implants
The cost of dental implants varies based on the type of implant you’re getting, how many teeth are affected, the material you want to use for the implant, and any pre-implant procedures you need to have done.
While the price of dental care can feel overwhelming, the Aspen Dental team makes it easy to work with your insurance company and explore financing options with third-party lenders so you can afford dental implants and create your best smile yet. Keep in mind that we do not accept Medicaid. With pay-as-you-go financing and partnerships with accepted insurance providers, we’ll do everything we can to help you afford dental implants and create your best smile yet.
Molar implant FAQs
Can wisdom teeth be replaced?
There is rarely a good reason to replace wisdom teeth since they aren’t used in chewing. In fact, many patients end up having wisdom teeth extracted because of concerns about crowding.
Is it worth getting an implant for a back molar?
Since molars play a unique role in oral health by keeping teeth in proper alignment, it’s often worth it to get a molar implant. A back molar implant is a durable solution to improve your ability to chew and speak.
How painful is a molar implant?
Pain associated with a molar implant is generally not more than discomfort during the procedure. Following the procedure, your dentist will help you manage dental implant pain with proper medications. The benefits of receiving an implant often outweigh the temporary pain you might experience during the procedure.
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