When you need to preserve a sick tooth with proper oral hygiene, and this hasn't helped, dental implants may be considered medically necessary. There are some reconstructive dental services that we can bill your insurance and that will be covered, such as extraction or orthodontic services for fractured teeth. Dental implants are always beneficial for patients who have missing teeth, but it's not that simple to classify them as “medically necessary”. If you don't replace the missing tooth right away, the jaw in the affected area will weaken and recede, causing the adjacent teeth to move and loosen.
Having dental implants is a medically necessary process that is often used for patients who have lost teeth due to various reasons. These reasons include periodontal disease, injury, dental caries, or abscesses. The benefits of having implants can be significant for patients, but the disadvantages can also be significant.
Disadvantages of Dentures
Using dentures or dental implants to replace missing teeth may seem like an easy solution, but there are some downsides to using them. It is important to learn the pros and cons of both before making a decision.
One of the main disadvantages of dentures is the price. In addition to the expense, they are not as durable as dental implants and require frequent maintenance.
Another disadvantage is that dentures can affect your overall oral health. Dentures can trap food particles inside and increase the risk of gum disease. This can lead to a bad taste in your mouth, as well as halitosis.
Dentures are also not as effective as dental implants in preventing jaw bone loss. If left untreated, deterioration of the jaw bone can lead to the collapse of your facial features.
Periodontal Disease
Several studies have shown that periodontal disease is linked to a variety of health conditions. One study found that people with diabetes were significantly more likely to have periodontal disease. This disease damages the bone and gums, making it difficult for teeth to remain in place. It can also exacerbate existing heart conditions.
Studies have also found that people with leukemia are at higher risk of having oral infections. Leukemia patients have suppressed immune systems, which increases their risk of infections. The bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream through areas of the mouth that breakdown. This can cause blood clots that obstruct normal blood flow. They can also restrict oxygen needed for heart function.
Other studies have found a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. The bacteria that live in the mouth can attach to fatty plaques in coronary arteries. This can restrict blood flow and cause heart attacks.
Caries and Abscesses
Several years ago, the government tasked the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) with identifying the most notable dental services, and figuring out how to pay for them. To its credit, the agency has been working with the Association of Health Care Providers and Research Institutes (AHCPR), and they have been able to compile a list of the most noteworthy services.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial research is not the only organization working to improve access to dental care. The Center for Evidence-Based Practice at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) has been able to strengthen the science behind diagnosis and management of dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. Besides producing limited reviews of topics identified by NIDCR, the center also produces a more comprehensive evidence report based on findings from its own data.
Susceptible to Fungal Infections
Those with dental implants are susceptible to fungal infections. These infections can be serious and cause significant injury to the oral cavity, sinus bone, and orbit.
Dental implants may develop an infection if they are not cleaned regularly. This infection can cause progressive bone loss and eventually fail. When a dental implant is infected, the patient may not know that the infection is present.
If the infection is moderate, the dentist may recommend antibiotics. Patients with more severe infections may require surgery. In addition to cleaning the implant, the dentist may perform other tests to check for other possible problems.
Fungi always exist in the oral cavity. Candida albicans is one of the most common fungal infections. People with compromised immune systems, dry mouth, and stress may have increased risk of developing an oral infection.
Cost-Effectiveness
Surgical and prosthetic techniques have been developed over decades to help replace natural teeth. They are often successful, but they are not always cost-effective. A cost-effectiveness analysis is a common methodology used to evaluate the relative costs of different treatment options. It can also inform patients and healthcare providers.
Dental implants offer a long-term, permanent solution to missing teeth. They also offer improved oral health and quality of life. They can last for decades and prevent problems from developing later in life.
Cost-effectiveness of dental implants is a complex topic, requiring appropriate methods and data to make accurate estimates. It's important to choose the appropriate methods, as the results of one study may differ from the results of another.
There are three main cost-effectiveness factors to consider when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of dental implants. These are the direct cost, the indirect cost, and the opportunity cost. The first is the direct cost, which relates to the cost of treatment. It includes the cost of the dentist, technician, prosthetic materials, and surgery.
However, a dental implant will keep your jaw strong and offer support to nearby teeth so that you can maintain their natural tooth structure. Dental implants also prevent the empty gum from developing infections that can affect adjacent teeth. There are some circumstances in which your health insurance may cover at least some aspects of dental implant surgery. If the loss of a tooth has caused medical complications, your health insurance may cover it.
Dental implants needed after oral cancer may also be covered by health insurance. If your medical and dental insurance plans offer coverage for dental implants, the benefits of each of them can be combined to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, dental implants may be used to improve jaw function. This may be necessary if there is damage...
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