Am I a candidate for dental implants?
If you are missing one or more teeth or are unsatisfied with your existing denture, then you are a candidate for dental implants. Dental implants will allow you to smile, speak, and eat with confidence and comfort.

What is a dental implant?
The dental implant is a small titanium fixture that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. The dentist places the implant into your upper or lower jawbone. After a period of time, the implant integrates with your bone. The implant then becomes a secure anchor for a replacement tooth, a fixed bridge, a removable partial, or a complete denture.

Does the jawbone reject foreign bodies?
The implant is machined surgical grade titanium (Ti6Al4V). Titanium is a biocompatible material that has proven to be the material of choice for not only dental implants but also orthopedic implants as well.

How much pain will I experience?
Minimal. While undergoing treatment, you can receive local anesthesia. (Some clinicians may choose to use others forms of anesthesia.) You may have mild post-surgical soreness for up to 72 hours. An over-the-counter pain reliever will alleviate most discomfort.

What will the appearance of my mouth look like during my treatment?
During treatment, your dentist will be able to provide you with a temporary prosthesis that will have the look and feel that you want during this short time.

How long is the implant procedure?
A single dental implant placement is usually done in less than an hour as an office procedure. The implant is then allowed to heal with the bone for a minimum of eight weeks. If you have good quality bone at the site where the implant was initially placed, the temporary abutment or healing plug can be removed and a final abutment post is tapped into the implant. The dentist takes a conventional dental impression and fabricates a crown or a removable denture. If you have poor quality bone and bone-grafting procedures are necessary, the overall process may last up to 18 months. Your dentist will determine which surgical procedure will be required for you.

What’s the difference between a one-stage and two-stage surgical procedure?
During a one-stage surgical procedure, a temporary abutment assists in the healing, formation, and maintenance of the soft tissue over the implant while bone integration occurs. The temporary abutment is immediately placed into the implant well to ensure that your gum line will heal properly and look natural once the final abutment is tapped into the implant. During a two-stage surgical procedure, a healing plug is initially tapped into the implant well. The tissue surrounding the healing plug is then sutured to protect the implant site while bone integration occurs. Once the bone has integrated, an incision is made in the tissue above the site, at which time integration is checked. Once the bone has integrated, the healing plug is then removed, and a temporary abutment is tapped into the implant well. With the temporary abutment securely in place the tissue surrounding the area is sutured. Approximately 4-6 weeks later, the temporary abutment can be removed and a final abutment is then placed into the implant. In some surgical cases, a final abutment is immediately placed into the implant well rather than the temporary abutment and sutures are not required. In both the one-stage and two-stage surgical procedure, the final abutment supports the final crown or denture.

Can implants be used as an alternative to root canal treatment?
YES! Not all teeth are good candidates for root canal treatment. In these situations, an implant should be considered. Root canal treatments are susceptible to decay, where as implants are a permanent solution to a usually painful and costly alternative of a root canal, post and core and crown lengthening. The cost factor for saving a tooth during the course of your dental treatments can exceed that of the placement and restoration of an implant.

What if I smoke?
Smoking can inhibit proper healing for any implant system. 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.

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.