FAQ
What exactly are dental implants and what can they do for
me?
Is the concept of dental implants a new one?
What are the benefits of dental implants?
What factors contribute to long-term success of dental
implants?
Are there any age limitations for dental implants?
Are implants expensive?
How long will it take before my implant is completely
finished?
How often do I need to have my dental implants checked?
Is dental implant surgery painful?
When can I return to work after implant surgery?
What exactly are dental implants and what can they do for me?
Implants are substitutes for teeth and they are today's best alternative to
your natural teeth. They offer you a permanent or secure solution for replacing
one or more teeth. They are made of biocompatible materials, just the same as
hip implants or similar orthopedic devices, and function as anchors or support
for traditional forms of dentistry, such as crowns, bridges or dentures. Many of
our patients will tell you that implants have changed not only their smiles,
their overall appearance but also even their lives! There are numerous other
reasons to choose dental implants:
Esthetically, they support teeth that look like real teeth.
Functionally, dental implants feel and act like real teeth. With implants, you can eat and chew again without pain or irritation.
Foods that were forbidden are now back in the diet. Implants eliminate the need for distasteful adhesives. There is no
longer a need to use "glue" when your prosthesis is anchored to implants. Implants can actually improve the taste of food. With less plastic
covering the roof of your mouth, you can enjoy natural flavors and
sensations again. Lastly, implants can help maintain your bone structure and support your
facial tissues. They can reduce or eliminate bone atrophy, which causes
"shrinkage" or facial cosmetic changes
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Is
the concept of dental implants a new one?
Interestingly, dental implants have been performed for thousands of yeas.
Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire implants in the jawbones.
Pre-Columbian skeletal remains exhibit dental implants made of semiprecious
stones. Recently, a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental
implant in his jawbone. In the Middle East, implants made of ivory have been
discovered in skeletons from the Middle Ages.
Implants, as we know them today, have been in existence for at least
twenty-five years. For the last ten years, however, success rates at many
treatment centers are consistently over 95% with proper personal and
professional care. Few forms of medical, orthopedic or dental treatment have
such high success rates
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What
are the benefits of Dental Implants?
Eat whatever you like! Implants improve your health with the ability to chew
a wider variety of foods.Smile with confidence. Discolored or missing teeth ruin your appearance.
Implant supported restorations help increase your self-esteem. People will
approach you more readily. Express yourself clearly or simply be understood. Implants increase the
retention and stability of your teeth. Improve your external facial structure and decrease the likelihood of
continued bone loss. Your jaw and teeth will smile together.
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What factors contribute to long-term success of Dental Implants?
Long-term success depends on multiple factors. Firstly, success will depend
on the quality and quantity of bone. The better the bone and the more available,
the greater the chance of longer-term success. Secondly, the experience and
ability of the dental surgeon will be a factor. As with and surgical procedure,
there is no substitute for the experience and individual talent of the dentist.
And finally, the quality of the restoration placed on top of the implant will
play a big role in long-term success. If the design of the implant crowns or
over dentures are poorly constructed, and biting forces are not balanced, even
the best-placed dental implants will have a compromised survival rate.
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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 implant.
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Are implants expensive?
Initially, you might feel dental implants are expensive. However, they
represent a more permanent and natural solution than dentures and partials.
Thus, there is a greater initial investment. They should last for years,
particularly if you have an "ideal" case. Independent surveys of implant
patients show that they felt the investment was worth every penny and would do
it again!
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How long will it take before my implant is completely finished?
Recent advances by implant manufacturers are reducing the time for initial
implant procedures. Treatment for the simple cases could take anywhere from 4-8
months, based on where the implants are placed and the type of restoration you
desire. Do not compromise because your implants and the new teeth that they
support should last for years
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How often do I need to have my Dental Implants checked?
The success of your implants will depend greatly on how well you maintain
them. They will need to be professionally cleaned by a hygienist and examined by
your implant dentist every three to four months. This hygienist should be
trained in the specific procedure of maintaining dental implants. Also, brushing
and flossing daily is absolutely necessary for long-term success.
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Is dental
implant surgery painful?
No. An effective local anesthetic and intravenous sedation (IV Sedation) is
used during the surgery so that you do not have any discomfort during the
placement of the implants. The mild discomfort you might experience after
surgery can be controlled with medications.
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When can I return to work after implant surgery?
You can go to work the next day, unless some particular surgical circumstance
arises.
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FAQ provided with help from
www.dentalimplants.com
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