Implants

Question 1

Are dental implants safe?

Accepted Answer

Dental implants have been used for over 40 years to replace missing teeth, and are safe with a well-documented overall success rate.

Question 2

What is a dental implant?

Accepted Answer

A dental implant is a small post made of titanium, a biocompatible material that our bodies won't reject, that is placed in your jawbone. As it bonds with the bone, it serves as a replacement for the root portion of the missing teeth, providing strength and stability for your new restorations (teeth).  Dental implants can support a single tooth, a dental bridge (for 1 or more missing teeth), or a full arch of teeth, from side-to-side.

Question 3

What are advantages of dental implants?

Accepted Answer

A primary advantage of dental implants is that their placement stimulates the jaw bone, similar to the root structure of your natural teeth, which prevents bone deterioration (or shrinkage) that occurs when teeth are missing.  By preserving your jaw bone, dental implants help maintain your facial support, and prevent sagging that makes you look older prematurely.

Dental implants also look and feel like natural teeth.  Since a dental implant becomes anchored securely as it integrates into your jaw bone (referred to as osseointegration), teeth secured by implants function far better than traditional removable full or partial dentures, allowing you to smile, bite and chew with confidence and ease.

Question 4

Do you need bone grafting with dental implants?

Accepted Answer

In areas where teeth are missing, the jawbone progressively shrinks over time2w, so bone grafting might be needed if you don't have enough bone volume to anchor one or more implants.

Question 5

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

Accepted Answer

Most people are candidates for dental implants.  You might think you're not a candidate for implants if you've worn dentures for years and experienced some bone loss, but bone grafting can build up the bone to support implants.

Question 6

How do you know if you're a candidate for dental implants?

Accepted Answer

A  three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (3D CBCT) scan of your jaw bone areas is an essential first step in determining if you're a candidate for dental implants.  The 3D CBCT scan is the only way to see the cross-sectional and three-dimensional view of your jaw and any existing teeth so that an accurate evaluation of your jawbone can be made.

Question 7

Is a 3D CBCT needed before getting implants?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Typical digital x-rays are two-dimensional (flat) black and white images, even if the x-ray scan is taken from one side of your jaw around your head to the other side.    While a typical x-ray might provide some initial clues about your bone, it doesn’t allow us to determine the breadth (width), depth (length), or density (thickness) of your jawbone areas with accuracy.

A three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (3D CBCT) scan of your jaw bone areas is the only way to see the cross-sectional and three-dimensional view of your jaw and any existing teeth.  With the 3D CBCT, your implant surgeon will assess the quality of your bone, the need for additional bone grafting, and where the dental implant(s) can be optimally placed in your jaw bone, without disruption to critical nerve and sinus areas.

As an added benefit, from your 3D CBCT scan, we will create a custom surgical guide based on the virtual placement of your implants in the 3D CBCT scan we take, so that the surgical placement of your implants is precise, predictable, and comfortable for you.

Question 8

How long does it take for dental implants to heal?

Accepted Answer

Once your dental implants have been surgically placed, the time it takes for the implant to integrate with your  jawbone (osseointegration) will rarely be under four months.  In most instances, it will take up to 6 months for osseointegration, although in some cases this process will extend past six months.