Dental Implants FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and short answers about Dental Implants.

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Questions & Answers

1. What is a dental implant?

The dental implant serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. It is machined from surgical-grade titanium alloy (Ti 6Al-4V ELI) to exacting specifications. A dentist places the implant into either the upper or lower jawbone. After a period of time, the implant integrates with the bone and becomes a secure anchor for a replacement tooth, a fixed bridge, a removable partial, or a complete denture.

2. Why should you consider dental implants?

If you, like millions of Americans, have lost one or more teeth, you may be all too familiar with the unpleasant consequences. For many, missing teeth lead to an unattractive smile, embarrassment from loose dentures, and pain or difficulty with eating.
Traditional dentistry can provide replacements for missing teeth using bridges, removable partials and dentures; however, each of these has its problems.
Bridgework usually involves altering natural teeth to provide a stable foundation for support of replacement teeth. Partials and dentures can, at times, be very unstable leading to denture sores or speech difficulties. Another little known problem associated with tooth loss is a process known as "atrophy," a shrinking of the jawbone that can progress relentlessly over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial cosmetic changes.
Because of the remarkable advances in dentistry in recent years, dental implants offer an effective solution to many of these problems.

3. How do I know that I need dental implants

If you have been thinking about getting dental implants, you are probably wondering if you are a possible candidate for this procedure. You can take this simple test to see if this procedure might help you.
Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I missing one, two, or more teeth?
2. Do I hide my smile because of unsightly spaces between my teeth or because I am missing teeth?
3. Do I lack confidence when I smile, speak or eat?
4. Am I having trouble eating, chewing, or speaking properly?
5. Are my teeth loose, or am I getting or in need of treatment for advanced gum disease?
6. Do I have dentures that slip or cause sore spots when I chew?
7. Do my dentures need to be relined frequently because of bone resorption?
8. Do I carry my complete or partial dentures in my pocket or leave them at home?
9. Am I having any problems with existing crowns or bridges, either functionally or cosmetically?
10. Are the teeth holding my bridge loosening or moving?
11. Can I wait three to nine months for the entire implant process to be completed?
12. Will I be willing to commit to the high standard of home care that is necessary to properly maintain a dental implant?
13. Will I follow up with regular dental checkups?
14. Do I believe that my life could be improved if my teeth were improved?

4. Benefits

Dental implants have given countless patients many amazing benefits.
• You will smile again
• Improved appearance
• Improved comfort
• Improved speech
• Eat better, enjoy more foods, better nutrition
• Convenience
• Improved self-esteem
Dental implants are also a great value for your investment. You will be getting a product that you will be using 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year, probably for many, many years of your life.

5. How do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants replace the form and function of missing teeth. They support replacement teeth in virtually the same way that your natural tooth root supports your natural teeth.
Various replacement options are possible:
• Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, so that grinding down or altering adjacent teeth is no longer necessary. • Dental implants can be used as anchors to support a fixed bridge.
• Dental implants can support loose teeth by being splinted to them.
• Dental implants can support replacement teeth for an entirely toothless jaw
• Dental implants can provide stability for a complete denture, thereby eliminating unsightly moving and clicking associated with dentures
Dental Implants are actually an amazing procedure, actually giving you a second chance for your teeth

6. Am I a candidate for a dental implant?

If you are missing one or more teeth, then you may be a candidate for a dental implant. Your dentist will be able to discuss your individual clinical situation. Dental implants will allow you to smile, speak, and eat with confidence and comfort.

7. Are there any age limitations for dental implants?

No. Any person at any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough bone available in which to place the implants

8. Can an implant be used as an alternative to root canal treatment?

YES! Not all teeth are good candidates for root canal treatment. Root canal treated teeth are susceptible to decay and fracture, while implants are not susceptible to decay and almost never break. Implants are an excellent and prudent alternative to the root canal, post and core, crown lengthening, and crowning procedures. Often, the cost of saving a tooth with a variety of treatments can exceed that of the placement and restoration of a implant.

9. Is the implant ever rejected by the body?

The implant is machined from surgical-grade titanium alloy (Ti 6Al-4V ELI), which is a biocompatible material. However, there is a slight possibility that it will not integrate with bone. If this were to occur, the implant would be replaced with another one. It is highly unlikely that the second implant would not integrate.

10. What if I smoke?

Smoking can inhibit proper healing of an implant. However, this does not prevent smokers from having implants successfully placed and restored. You should speak with your dentist for more specific information relating to your dental needs and the effects of smoking.

11. How much pain will I experience?

Usually minimal to none. While undergoing treatment, you will receive local anesthesia. (Some clinicians may choose to use other forms of anesthesia.) You may have mild post-surgical soreness for up to 72 hours. An over-the-counter pain reliever will alleviate the discomfort for most patients.

12. What will the appearance of my mouth look like during my treatment?

During treatment, your dentist may be able to provide you with a transitional prosthesis that will have the look and feel that you need during this period of healing. With the Bicon implant, it is often possible to have a fixed transitional tooth immediately after the placement of the implant.

13. How much time is required to have an implant procedure?

A single dental implant placement is usually completed in less than an hour as an office procedure with local anesthesia. The implant is then allowed to heal with the bone for a minimum of eight weeks. If you have poor quality bone and bone-grafting procedures are necessary, the overall process can take up to 12 months or more. Your dentist will determine which surgical procedure is best for you.

14. When can I return to work after implant surgery?

You can go to work the next day, unless some particular surgical circumstance arises. Your implant dentist will discuss all postoperative instructions with you.

15. How do I properly maintain the implant once treatment is completed?

Ironically, dental implants require less maintenance than a natural tooth. Simply brush it as though it were a natural tooth.

16. How long does an implant last?

The first implants were placed in over 40 years ago. There is no reason why an implant cannot last a lifetime. However, specific situations such as facial or occlusal trauma can negatively impact their longevity.

17. What is a sinus floor bone augmentation?

When an upper posterior tooth is lost, the floor of the maxillary sinus drops down into the space formerly occupied by the root of the lost tooth. In order to place an implant, it is often necessary to put the sinus floor back up to where it originally was by adding a synthetic bone substitute. This procedure is called a sinus floor bone augmentation or a sinus lift.

18. What is a ridge split?

After the loss of a tooth, the bone formerly around the tooth is resorbed - often leaving a very narrow ridge of bone. In order to place an implant, the ridge of bone is split as though it were a piece of corrugated cardboard being expanded to provide a wider space between each side. For the upper jaw, this is accomplished at the same time that the implant is placed; the lower jaw requires a second surgical visit approximately three weeks later.

19. What is a bone graft?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure for adding height or width to a jawbone in order to increase its volume for the placement of an implant

20. How much will it cost and does insurance cover implant treatment?

Costs vary depending upon the clinician you choose for your treatment and upon your individual dental needs. In general, implants are not covered by insurance. Detailed questions about your individual needs and how they relate to insurance should be discussed with your dentist or your insurance provider.

21. Costs:

As with many surgical procedures, dental implant fees will vary from doctor to doctor. Frequently, a more experienced implant dentist will charge higher fees. Each individual implant dentist will be able to quote you his fees.
It is important to remember that there are three components to a tooth being restored by an implant dentist, and each component has its own fee structure:

• First, there is the cost of the implant surgical procedure itself
• Next, there is the cost of the post (also called an abutment), which is placed on the healed implant
• Last, there is the cost of the crown, which is the tooth placed on top of the post
• Remember, there can be multiple implants and multiple crowns

There may be other costs as well; for instance, the use of synthetic bone material during surgery might be an added fee.

Find out if financing is available. Many offices participate in a plan, which allows a qualified patient to finance up to 100% of the cost of the procedures!

Ask your implant dentist to explain in detail what all the costs will be, and be sure to understand what fees you will be paying for each particular procedure. There should never be any financial surprises once a commitment to your treatment has begun.

Now that you have learned all about dental implants, it is time to find an implant dentist to meet your needs.