Following are answers to some of the questions that patients often ask regarding dental implants (click on a question):
How can I tell if I am healthy enough to have dental implants?
Where dental implants are concerned, are there risks of the body rejecting them?
How long will implants last?
Do implants require special care?
Is the placement of implants painful? How long does it take?
How long does the whole dental implant process take? Will I be without teeth or unable to eat for a long time?
I've heard that dental implants are experimental - is that true?
I've heard that dental implants are expensive. How much do they cost?
Does insurance pay for dental implants?
I
must have some teeth extracted and I intend to have implants placed to
restore my ability to chew. Can a dental implant be placed at the same
visit as the teeth are extracted?
My
husband and I retired. We enjoy traveling and are on the road quite a
bit. I know I need dental implants, but how can I have them done
without staying in one place for several months?
Why do dentures lose their fit?
I
have a tooth that is broken and my dentist recommended extraction and a
bridge, but I'm not excited about grinding down the perfectly good
teeth on each side to make a bridge --could an implant work here?
Can any dentist give me an implant?
I
need to replace two missing teeth next to each other. Can I just have
one implant placed and attach it to one of my natural teeth and make a
bridge?
I am missing most of my back
teeth and do not wish to lose any of my remaining front teeth. I cannot
wear partial dentures. Could I have teeth that stay in all the time to
replace my teeth missing in the back and keep my remaining teeth in
front?
I lost my upper back teeth on
one side and have gone for years without doing anything about it. My
sinuses always seem to bother me more on that side than on the side
that I have back teeth. Could these problems be related to one another?
Both
of my parents have worn complete dentures for many years, as have my
grandparents. Recently, I lost two of my teeth. Does this mean that I
will eventually have to have dentures?
I've
had dentures for several years and have lost a lot of jawbone. My lower
dentures are floaters and I need help. Is there still hope for me?
I
have been a denture wearer for many years now and use denture adhesives
to hold my teeth in place and am getting tired of the constant bad
taste and mess in my mouth. Could dental implants eliminate using
adhesives?
I have a full set of
dentures. My uppers are fine, but my lowers are constantly a juggling
act when I try to eat. Can I have implants on the lower and keep a full
denture on top?
I am missing all of
my teeth and am now wearing a full upper and lower denture. I can no
longer tolerate my lowers. Will I need an implant for every tooth I am
replacing on the lower jaw?
My
husband lost all his teeth from gum disease. He refuses to wear "false
teeth". Would implants give him the look and function of natural teeth?
I
consulted a dentist several years ago about using dental implants to
replace my lower denture and he told me that I did not have adequate
bone available. Are there any alternatives?
I
can't keep my upper denture in place for very long without gagging. I
also can't taste or feel the temperature or texture of food very well,
so eating is not the pleasure it once was -can implants help me?
I
had a root canal on a tooth that fractured and now it has to be
removed. Can it be replaced with an implant or do I have to have a
bridge or a partial?
How can I tell if I am healthy enough to have dental implants?
Generally
speaking, if a person is well enough to undergo the treatment necessary
for fixed bridgework or routine tooth extractions, the same person can
undergo dental implant procedures. Also, patients may have general
health conditions that would contraindicate implant procedures,
although this is unusual. The best form of implant for you is
determined after a thorough examination and discussion with the implant
dentist. The amount and location of available bone is usually the major
determinant as to which implant system is to be used, or whether you
are a good implant candidate.
Where dental implants are concerned, are there risks of the body rejecting them?
When
people hear the word "rejection" in connection with implants, they are
usually describing conditions that can occur where there has been
surgery that involves transplanting a vital organ such as a heart.
However, dental implants fall into an entirely different category due
to the fact that tissue matching, blood typing, etc., is not a factor
as in the other procedures mentioned. The body completely accepts
placement of dental implant material within bone; therefore, today's
dental implants meet with great success. Obviously, there are some
dental implants that have not been successful. However, success has
more to do with proper patient selection, proficiency of the
practitioner, and the patient's commitment to proper hygiene and
preventive maintenance. Another factor in success involves regular
follow-up care, just like other dental treatment. Both soft tissue
health and the way the replacement teeth function and bite together
must be evaluated periodically to ensure long term success of the
dental implant.
How long will implants last?
How
long do teeth last? They should last a lifetime. However, we all can
sight examples where teeth have not served for a person's lifetime. We
know that dental problems mostly stem from improper home care or lack
of treatment when needed. The same holds true for implants. With proper
care and routine dental check-ups they should last a lifetime. No one
can give guarantees because the health of a person is dependent upon
many factors which are out of the control of one's dentist, e.g.,
proper nutritional needs being met, proper hygiene, genetics, disease
processes which might occur. So, the answer to this question really is
that no one knows how long each individual implant will last... one's
success can be influenced by the way you live and the quality of
practitioner that you have chosen to do your implants... these things
can tip the scales in your favor.
Do implants require special care?
Presume
that dental implants are natural teeth and treat them that way. Return
for regular check-ups. Brush and floss. Realize also, that caring for
the gums is the best way to care for one's teeth. More teeth are lost
as a result of gum disease than any other single cause.
Is the placement of implants painful? How long does it take?
Implant
placement usually does not result in much post-operative discomfort
-usually the patient takes Tylenol or Advil for about 2-5 days. If more
extensive treatment is needed, for example bone grafts or many
implants, then the post-operative course may require more time and
medication. Anesthesia during the surgery should make the placement
procedure pain-free. Depending on the complexity and number of implants
being placed, the procedure can take between 30 minutes to 3-4 hours.
How long does the whole dental implant process take? Will I be without teeth or unable to eat for a long time?
The
first phase of treatment, after a detailed evaluation and treatment
plan, usually is the actual placement of the implants. This procedure
is generally done in the doctor's office during one visit. Most
implants will remain covered, underneath the gums, for 3 to 6 months.
During this time, osseointegration --the biological bonding of the
jawbone to the implant--occurs. Through this healing period, you will
probably wear your modified denture or a temporary denture or bridge
and maintain normal activities without restriction. You will need to
follow a modified, soft diet for the first couple of weeks.
The second phase of the procedure is usually 3-6 months after
implant placement. At this time, the top of the implants will be
uncovered from under the gums and a small metal post or extension will
be attached to the implant(s). Your dentist will make any necessary
modifications to your temporary teeth to allow you to continue wearing
them after post attachment.
In the third phase, which usually starts 2-6 weeks after the second
phase, your new replacement teeth are created and fitted. This phase
involves a series of appointments to make impressions of your mouth and
to "try-in" your replacement teeth at key steps in their fabrication.
The try-in sessions are necessary to ensure that the size, shape, color
and fit of your new teeth will completely blend with and match your
individual facial characteristics and remaining natural teeth (if any).
The third phase is usually completed within 4 to 8 weeks. Total
treatment time for most implant cases will usually be 5-8 months. It
could be longer if bone or gum procedures are needed.
I've heard that dental implants are experimental - is that true?
Absolutely
not! Dental implants have a long history of use and success. Implants
are the most thoroughly researched procedure in the history of
dentistry and, while no procedure is 100% successful, the current
technology has resulted in very high success rates in the hands of
well-trained and experienced clinicians. Dental implants are carefully
regulated by the FDA and a number of implant systems have been approved
by the American Dental Association.
I've heard that dental implants are expensive. How much do they cost?
The
procedure can involve a significant investment, with fees ranging from
$2,500 and up for a single tooth replacement (about the same as a
conventional "3-tooth bridge") to $5,000 and up for replacement of
multiple missing teeth. However, the cost of non-treatment can be
considerably more expensive. Continual bone loss occurs from the
wearing of full dentures (plates) and partials. This progressive loss
of bone can eventually cause nerve exposure, jaw fracture and a
complete inability to function with regular dentures. Correction at
this point may be very expensive and can involve extensive bone grafts,
which requires hospitalization and an extended recovery period.
Placing implants before the bone loss becomes severe not only
saves money in the long run, but also slows the bone loss process,
increasing the likelihood of long term success.
Does insurance pay for dental implants?
Yes
and no --sorry to be so vague, but some carriers pay for them, some
don't, and some pay a portion of the costs. Surprisingly, the best
coverage can be through your medical insurance if you are missing all
or most of your teeth. In this case the implant procedure may be
considered jaw reconstruction with restoration of normal chewing
function and sometimes medical insurance will cover all or part of the
treatment. In many instances we have been able to help get significant
coverage for patients, but unfortunately it is not very predictable.
Our staff will work hard to see that you get the best possible benefit
from your insurance.
I
must have some teeth extracted and I intend to have implants placed to
restore my ability to chew. Can a dental implant be placed at the same
visit as the teeth are extracted?
Whether
or not the dental implant can be placed immediately after extraction
depends on the amount of available bone in the area. Placing the
implant at the same visit helps preserve both width and height of bone
and may prevent the need for placing bone grafts when bone naturally
shrinks back after teeth are extracted. During the first year after
teeth have been removed, as much as 40% of jawbone width can be lost.
Sometimes, infection from a tooth or periodontal disease has destroyed
the bone to such an extent that it becomes necessary to do a bone
grafting procedure prior to implant placement. If it is possible to
place the implant at the same visit as the teeth are extracted, this
can save at least three months in healing time compared to waiting for
an extraction site to heal before the implants can be placed.
My
husband and I retired. We enjoy traveling and are on the road quite a
bit. I know I need dental implants, but how can I have them done
without staying in one place for several months?
Patients
are encouraged to continue their normal activities, even if it involves
traveling out of town or even out of state during most of the time of
their treatment process. Usually the longest period of time we
recommend our patients to stay close to home is the time immediately
following the implant surgery. Most people (age does not matter) are
able to go about their normal activities in only 2-3 days after their
surgery. We do recommend staying close to town after this surgery for
14 days to insure that normal healing occurs. Once the implants are
placed it can take as long as 5-6 months for the surrounding bone to
integrate (or bond) with the implant, however, you are usually able to
wear your existing partial, denture or temporary bridgework from the
day of surgery until the day you receive your new replacement teeth.
During these several months you can travel and do as you please.
Why do dentures lose their fit?
In
many cases, the pressure of dentures or partials on the tissues causes
gums to get "flabby" and bone to shrink over time. When this occurs,
the dentures usually become loose and awkward even when adhesives are
applied, much like the way clothes become baggy when one loses weight,
and this causes more bone loss and gum problems. With dental implants,
bone loss as well as gum erosion are slowed. Unlike dentures, which put
pressure and stress on top of the gums and jaw bone, endosseous
("in-the-bone") implants are actually surrounded by bone and the
chewing forces transfer pressures into the bone, much like teeth do.
This actually can strengthen the bone and increase bone density,
reducing the bone shrinkage seen regularly from dentures.
I
have a tooth that is broken and my dentist recommended extraction and a
bridge, but I'm not excited about grinding down the perfectly good
teeth on each side to make a bridge --could an implant work here?
Most
likely an implant could work very well in this situation. Filing down
teeth weakens them and makes them more susceptible to decay, gum
problems and possible root canals. Sometimes a bridge is still the best
alternative, but an implant can often be a better option. An implant
will be easier to clean and floss, won't require attachment to or
damage other teeth and is as close as we can come to naturally giving
you back your missing tooth.
Can any dentist give me an implant?
Legally
yes, but like any medical or dental procedure, not all practitioners
have equal experience, training or comfort with implant treatment.
Also, for every procedure, there is a "learning curve" and you want
practitioners with significant experience to help you with implant
treatment so you are likely to get the best possible long term result.
I
need to replace two missing teeth next to each other. Can I just have
one implant placed and attach it to one of my natural teeth and make a
bridge?
Generally, this is
not a good idea-over the years we have learned that it is generally
much better not to attach implants to teeth. We frequently attach
implants to each other, which can improve strength and works well. So
in a case like this, although it may be more expensive in the short
term to place two implants instead of one, the long-term success is
likely to be much better with the two implants.
I
am missing most of my back teeth and do not wish to lose any of my
remaining front teeth. I cannot wear partial dentures. Could I have
teeth that stay in all the time to replace my teeth missing in the back
and keep my remaining teeth in front?
Your
situation is very common. First of all we will do everything possible
to help you keep your remaining natural teeth as long as their
supporting structures are within an acceptable range. Supporting
structures means the gum and bone tissues immediately surrounding the
tooth. A thorough evaluation must be made to determine if a tooth is
healthy enough to keep or not. We do not want remaining unhealthy teeth
to compromise the success of any new treatment performed whether it be
dental implants or other treatment. We must then decide what is best
for your specific needs in order to restore your missing back teeth. If
you have had problems with removable partials, then dental implants
used to anchor new replacement teeth may be the best answer for you.
I
lost my upper back teeth on one side and have gone for years without
doing anything about it. My sinuses always seem to bother me more on
that side than on the side that I have back teeth. Could these problems
be related to one another?
A
phenomena that occurs in a large majority of people who have had their
upper back teeth missing for a long period of time is the increasing
downward growth of the maxillary sinus. At birth it is the size of a
pea, and progressively grows as the skull matures. This growth is at
the expense of the surrounding bone. If you are considering replacing
those upper back teeth with fixed teeth that stay in all the time, it
may be necessary to perform a sinus elevation procedure to allow room
for placement of dental implants into this area to support those teeth.
This involves placement of bone and/or bone substitutes into an area
which was previously occupied by the lower part of the maxillary sinus.
These bone graft materials act as a matrix or scaffold which is
replaced by the patient's own new bone. This raises the floor of the
sinus, reduces sinus volume and may allow the sinus to drain easier.
Most importantly, this procedure increases the available bone use to
place implants and restore the missing back teeth.
Both
of my parents have worn complete dentures for many years, as have my
grandparents. Recently, I lost two of my teeth. Does this mean that I
will eventually have to have dentures?
Tradition
seems to say that someday we will lose our teeth and then succumb to
the inevitable denture. Today the reality is that we can essentially
keep all of our teeth throughout our lives... But what about those,
such as yourself, who have either already lost some or all of their
teeth or are about to? Dental implants could be the answer. We can
replace single teeth, several teeth in a section of the jaw, or entire
arches of teeth. Some people are more prone to tooth decay or
periodontal disease and more apt to lose teeth than others are. If you
have a family history of denture use, you should make every effort to
save your teeth -and you may never need dentures. If you do lose one or
more teeth, implants may be a good option to prevent the need for
dentures.
I've
had dentures for several years and have lost a lot of jawbone. My lower
dentures are floaters and I need help. Is there still hope for me?
In
most cases, with the new options available today in the field of dental
implants, some form of treatment can be done. We encourage people to
get help as soon as possible if they are already having some problems
with their current situation. These problems include: excessive use of
denture adhesives, chewing only soft food, unable to taste some foods,
constant mouth sores, unhappy with the appearance of one's teeth and
bite position (in some cases the nose and chin getting closer
together). The sooner the problems are corrected with dental implants
the more choices one has available for treatment. If you have any or
all of the above symptoms, implants could very well be the answer for
you.
I
have been a denture wearer for many years now and use denture adhesives
to hold my teeth in place and am getting tired of the constant bad
taste and mess in my mouth. Could dental implants eliminate using
adhesives?
A common complaint
is having to constantly add adhesives to secure dentures, especially
after drinking a cup of coffee or eating a meal. This can really be a
nuisance when eating out at a restaurant and having to excuse yourself
from the table to go to the rest room because your dentures won't stay
in. Laughing, sneezing and coughing can also cause trouble for people
who depend on adhesives to hold their teeth in place. It may be funny
to see another person having a denture fall out, but it is not funny to
the person who has to deal with these embarrassing situations on a
daily basis. Denture wearers with problems such as these are not alone.
There are 30 million people in the United States with no teeth and 29%
in this group chew only soft foods.
I
have a full set of dentures. My uppers are fine, but my lowers are
constantly a juggling act when I try to eat. Can I have implants on the
lower and keep a full denture on top?
Absolutely.
Your situation is a common one. The full lower denture is the most
unstable prosthesis fabricated in dental practice. During chewing, the
average lower denture moves five times more than an upper denture. The
person with advanced bone loss has additional problems of poor muscle
coordination, speech difficulties, and inability to keep the denture in
place, all of which adversely influence a normal lifestyle. Dental
implants can be the solution to all of these problems. Even in cases
where a lot of bone loss has occurred there still is a good chance
something can be done. In most cases, a thorough oral exam and a
panoramic x-ray is all that is needed to determine if you are a good
candidate for implants.
I
am missing all of my teeth and am now wearing a full upper and lower
denture. I can no longer tolerate my lowers. Will I need an implant for
every tooth I am replacing on the lower jaw?
It
is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth that is being
replaced. The number of implants necessary to provide support depends
on the type of implants used and the type of teeth (removable vs. non-
removable) that will be attached to the implants. For example in this
case, if you're a good candidate for endosseous (in-the-bone) implants,
you may require between 2-8 implants, depending on the technique used
to support a full compliment of lower teeth. A thorough oral exam and
panoramic x-ray is all that is necessary in most cases, to determine
which implant can be used and how many must be used. Sometimes
additional x-rays or CT scans are used in more complicated cases.
My
husband lost all his teeth from gum disease. He refuses to wear "false
teeth". Would implants give him the look and function of natural teeth?
It
is possible to replace an entire arch of teeth with non-removable teeth
supported by dental implants. Each individual presents a different
combination of factors and these factors will determine which type of
implant will be best suited for them. The end result is the elimination
of the denture as we now know it. The ability to function socially and
eat properly is the driving force behind the development of dental
implants. These procedures will provide you with stable teeth, in many
cases, for the first time in years. A removable denture can be retained
and supported by several implants joined by a bar or the missing teeth
can be restored with fixed bridges anchored to 5 to 8 implants.
Implants are a viable and functional way to help improve one's quality
of life and health.
I
consulted a dentist several years ago about using dental implants to
replace my lower denture and he told me that I did not have adequate
bone available. Are there any alternatives?
Because
of the advances in the field of dental implantology, there are now more
choices and techniques. It's the rare person that cannot receive an
implant or a combination of implants. Today we have available many
types of implants designed to accommodate multiple problems. As an
example, if adequate bone is not available in the front or the back
part or the jaw for in-the-bone implants, an over-the-bone type implant
can be placed in both areas and non-removable teeth can be made to
attach to the implants. Over-the-bone implants have been used
successfully in dentistry for over 30 years. An implant of this type
also has the added advantage of strengthening a fragile jawbone, which
can help prevent a fracture. The ability to utilize multiple implant
techniques is an essential ingredient to the successful use of
implants. No one design will cover all situations. Bone grafting
techniques have improved remarkably and in many instances we can do
these procedures in our office. Bone grafts can strengthen the jaw and
supply additional bone for implant placement.
I
can't keep my upper denture in place for very long without gagging. I
also can't taste or feel the temperature or texture of food very well,
so eating is not the pleasure it once was -can implants help me?
Probably.
Upper dentures cover the roof of the mouth and go back to the soft
palate to get support and "seal" so they will stay in place.
Unfortunately, this results in covering up the palate and many taste
buds. By using implants to anchor or support an upper prosthesis
(either removable or nor-removable replacement teeth), the roof of the
mouth can be left uncovered so one won't gag, and can feel the texture,
temperature, and taste of foods and beverages much better.
I
had a root canal on a tooth that fractured and now it has to be
removed. Can it be replaced with an implant or do I have to have a
bridge or a partial?
Teeth
that have root canals can fracture more easily than other teeth because
they are weaker and somewhat dehydrated. They can sometimes be as
brittle as glass. In the past the best available treatment was to
remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth and make a bridge -
caps on the adjacent teeth with an attached "dummy" tooth in between.
Sometimes this still is the only way. However, in many cases an implant
can replace the fractured tooth and no teeth need to be ground down at
all.
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