FAQs
1. What Are Dental Implants?
Implants are titanium screws that are fixed firmly in the jaw by means of a surgical procedure. Dental implants provide support for a single missing tooth or several missing teeth. Dental implants have been around for over 30 years.
2. Can I Benefit from Dental Implants?
Patients have told us that: They eat better Eat foods that they have avoided for years Are more confident and more comfortable when they ear They feel better about themselves
3. Are All Implants Successful?
There are many variables to be considered in placing an implant. First, the patient must be healthy. There must be adequate healing powers present in the patient. For example, if the patents is an uncontrolled diabetic, inconsistent healing could complicate the procedure. If such a condition develops at a later date after the implant(s) has been done, this too may complicate the future of the implant(s). Second, a proper diagnosis must be made and the proper implant placement and procedure must be selected for the individual patient. Third, the implant (s) must be treated properly by the patient and the dentist/denturist. Fourth, if the patient is a heavy smoker or an excessive alcoholic beverage consumer, the success of the implant(s) can be affected.
4. Are There Side Effects from Dental Implants?
Allergic reactions to titanium are extremely rare; except for some anticipated discomfort due to the surgical procedure, dental implants are very predictable.
5. How Long Do Implants Last?
Using modern techniques, and appropriate surgical and denture protocol, expected success rated are excess of 95%. With proper hygiene, habits and maintenance implants are designed to last a lifetime. There are several factors beyond the control of both the patient and the provider, which can affect the life of an implant-retained denture. Accidents and illness can have a deleterious affect. It is therefore impossible to make promised or guarantees regarding the longevity of an implant. Should a problem arise, it normally does so during the first six months to a year following surgery, during period of bone healing. After this period, problems appear to be less frequent. However, during follow-up by our office and the proper care by the patient are mandatory.
6. Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Those who: Are dissatisfied with Loose, uncomfortable dentures Wish to eat better Wish to talk and laugh with more confidence Are tired of using adhesive to secure dentures
7. Is Age a Deterrent?
No! Health is the determining factor. Many people seventy and eighty years of age are a better surgical risk that someone years younger who has physical complications. Older individuals are more likely to need implants because they have lost more teeth, and lost more supporting ridges.
8. Do Implants Supported Dentures Feel Different from my Regular Dentures?
Implants retained over-dentures are far more comfortable to wear than regular dentures. You can finally smile, talk, eat, and laugh again naturally with confidence and not have to worry about them lifting or dropping.
9. Is Special Care Needed for Implants?
The success of a dental implant depends upon regular dental visits and meticulous oral hygiene. A healthy mouth helps ensure the best possible functioning of the dental implant.
10. Is There a Risk of Cancer?
There is no instance reported in the dental or medical literature of dental implants being the cause of cancer.
11. How Long Will a Dental Implant Treatment Take, from Start to Finish?
Typically, in lower jaw, the total treatment time will be around 6-8 months. The upper jaw will usually take about 6-10 months. If a bone grafting procedure is required to increase the height of the bone, an additional six months will be necessary. Also, recent extractions must be allowed to heal completely before implants are placed.
12. What are the Medical Requirements for Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a minor procedure generally done in the dental office. If you are healthy enough to have a tooth/teeth “pulled”, you are healthy enough to undergo dental implant surgery. Comparatively, it is less traumatic than having an impacted wisdom tooth extracted.
13. What are the Potential Risk and/or Complications of Dental Implant Surgery?
The chance of complications in dental implant surgery is directly related to the amount of bone in the jaw. In the back part of the lower jaw, injuries to a nerve may cause numbness to that side of the lower lip either temporary or permanently. In the back part of the upper jaw, the dental implant may cause perforation of the sinus. For some individuals who have severely resorbed jaws, (very little bone) there is a tendency of bruising in the chin and neck areas. The bruises usually take ten days to disappear. However, during consultation, the oral surgeon will be able to discuss these with you as well as the ways to minimize the risks.
14. How Long Does the Implant Surgery Take?
The first phase of the surgery is where the fixtures (first part of the implant that stays in the bone) are placed. This usually takes 2-3 hours. The second procedure is to uncover the fixtures and attach the abutment (second part of the implant that stays above the gums) usually takes an hour or less.
15. Will it Hurt?
Patients are told that there will be some post-operative discomfort and swelling but this will be minimal. In addition, patients are reassured that they will be provided the appropriate analgesics and antibiotics as necessary.
16. What are the Chances of Rejection?
Modern dental implants are made from the most biocompatible (body acceptable) material known to man, Titanium. Titanium is used in hip replacements and in pins used to hold broken bones together. There are no recorded cases of rejection. Dental implants differ from transplants of body parts, such as heart, lungs. Kidneys, etc., where an immune reaction can occur and rejection results. The possibility of infection around an implant is similar to that found around natural teeth.
17. How Long is the Healing Period?
Reaction to the placement of implants may vary from patient to patient and are directly related to the number of implants placed. Typically, you can resume normal activities one or two days following surgery. In those cases where extensive surgery is performed, you may require 3 to 4 days to resume normal activity.
18. How Much Time Will I Have to Take off Work?
Most people recover in one to two days. We recommend allowing three to four days for recovery. The procedure can be arranged to be done on a Thursday or Friday, allowing the weekend for recovery.
19. What Happens When a Dental Implant Fails?
A failed dental implant will be loose and is uncomfortable when pressure is applied. Dr. Sandhu can remove the dental implant quite easily and a new dental implant can be re-implanted in the same area after three months, free of cost.
Are There Any Payment Plans Available?
Yes. Since most dental implant treatments take a few months to complete, a payment plan may be arranged. We provide the option of 0% financing with PayBright.
How Much Will a Personal Consultation Cost and
What is Included? The cost of a personal consultation in our office is provided free of charge. This includes a clinical evaluation, oral examination and a written estimate.
Is There a Guarantee?
There is no way that we can guarantee anything which goes into the mouth and which is under control of the individual patient. Physicians do not tell you that the transplanted kidney, heart, or coronary bypass will keep you alive for any specified period of time. We can only tell you what we will strive to place the implant (s) properly, provide you with the information you need to help care for your implant (s) at home, and will be available for regular periodic follow-up appointments to evaluate your continued dental health. We will do everything we can to make the implant(s) succeed, but you have to make the same commitment.
Where can I Have my Implants Placed?
We will be happy to provide you with a free consultation and examination at any of our locations.