Dental implants are fixed to the upper or lower jaw to provide an interface between the jaw and the artificial tooth. There are two main types: endosteal and subperiosteal implants that can hold the crown (false teeth). Some implants are used for affixing a single tooth. Alternatively, the doctor may also create a complete metal bridge to support multiple implants and crowns as a viable replacement to removable dentures. Here is a brief overview.

Single tooth replacement
People missing a tooth or two can have these replaced with singular implants at the local orthodontist. Dentists usually clean the area and place titanium or stainless steel implants in the gums to support the artificial crown teeth. Now the cost of the crown and implant will depend on the type of material used. Commonly, they are divided into the following materials.

• Porcelain fused to a metal crown
  This is one of the cheaper dental implants available in the market and will cost you approximately ₹6,000. The porcelain material affixed to a metal crown is sufficient enough to fill the single gaps anywhere between the upper or lower jaw. Note that the price mentioned is for a single tooth and the fixture. You may have to pay for additional dental labor charges for getting the tooth fixed.
• Ceramic crown
  The zirconia ceramic crown is an upgraded option over the porcelain tooth, as there is no metal used in the construction of this artificial tooth. Many orthodontists recommend using these ceramic crowns as they have a longer life and blend in really well with your existing teeth. Metal-free ceramic crowns cost a bit more and are available in the price range of ₹10,000 to ₹14,000 approximately.
• Veneers
  Veneers are a much more premium dental crown that is affixed over stainless-steel implants in the jaw. Veneers are better in quality and last longer than ceramic crowns. However, there is not much of a difference in the cost, as a single veneer can cost ₹15,000 approximately; the price of the implant used to fix the veneers is included in this cost.

Multiple tooth replacement
It may so happen that you might have to replace several of the upper or lower teeth. In such cases, orthodontists recommend multiple implants that can be affixed around the existing teeth. There are different types of dental implant packages that feature a mix of stainless-steel or titanium implants, porcelain crowns, and veneers, depending on the number of replacements that need to be done.

• Lower jaw bridge
  To replace multiple teeth along the jawline, orthodontists will embed several implants through the gums into the jaw. Based on the type of crown you choose (porcelain or veneer), these artificial teeth will be screwed in with the implant to provide a snug fit. For example, the average cost of 8 implants affixed to a 14 units zirconia bridge will be approximately ₹3,50,000.
• Upper jaw bridge
  A similar procedure is done for the upper jaw bridge with the addition of 2 pterygoid implants that run deep within the facial features to support a dozen or so screws that hold down the ceramic bridge veneers. The upper jaw procedure is slightly more expensive, with an approximate cost of ₹4,00,000.

One of the main advantages of using a continuous jaw bridge is that it eliminates the need for removable dentures for multiple tooth replacement. The implants provide adequate support for artificial crowns and veneers and are barely noticeable unless one takes a closer look.