A. Dental implants are small titanium posts which are inserted into your jaw bone. Your bone actually bonds directly to the implant surface creating a solid foundation for anchoring artificial teeth. Titanium dental implants will not set-off metal detectors and are safe for MRI’s.
A. The best results occur when implants are done by a team approach. The actual surgical procedure for placing the implant is by your oral surgeon. Your restorative dentist then makes the crowns or bridges which are supported by the implants. This ensures that the appropriate expert handles each aspect of your care, and together offer additional insight into the many options available to you.
A. Technological advances have made it possible to enjoy the benefits of your implants faster than ever before, sometimes even the same day. However, there are many details specific to each patient and the proposed treatment. Your surgeon can further discuss the timing of the treatment after your consultation and when considering the specific details of your proposed treatment.
A. Having dental implants placed is a minor surgical procedure and you can expect some mild to moderate discomfort.
A. There are few reasons why someone would not be a candidate for dental implants, but your surgeon can discuss these with you during your initial consultation. If you are not a candidate, your surgeon can discuss alternative treatments with you.
A. After placement, dental implants are a permanent (non-removable) replacement for your missing teeth. They are cared for just like a natural tooth with routine oral hygiene and regular professional dental care.
A. Yes! The bone surrounding your teeth begins to go away immediately when a tooth is no longer present. This bone loss is often accelerated further by the pressure of dentures. Having implants secured to this bone creates a stress on the bone much like a natural tooth would reducing the risk of this type of bone loss.
A. Yes! With the advancements in technology in both medical imaging as well as dental implants it is now possible to place implants in a highly precise manner by computer based surgical planning. While this is not needed in most cases, it is an option that your surgeon can discuss with you during your consultation.