Services
: Dental
Implants : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
on Dental Implants
How Successful
Are Dental Implants?
Success rates vary, depending on where in the jaw the
implants are placed but, in general, dental implants
have a success rate of up to 97%. With proper care (see
below), implants can last a lifetime.
Is there discomfort involved?
Just as with any surgery, there can be some slightly
discomfort. However, anesthetic and pain-controlled
medications are used to eliminate any discomfort at
the time of the procedure. Approximately 95 percent
of patients report discomfort of 0-2 on a scale of 0-10
the day after the implants are placed. The doctor will
prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may
occur. Special care will be taken to stay in contact
with you after the surgery to be sure that you remain
comfortable.
How long does it the treatment
take?
To complete treatment takes an average of 6 to 8 weeks
or shorter. Nowadays, in some cases, a temporary crown
can placed on immediately so called " Immediated loaded
implants " or " One day implants ". We do, however,
provide patients with temporary teeth if it is the anterior
tooth in all cases. AT NO TIME are you without teeth
unless you elect to do so.
How long can I expect to
be off work?
Generally, we recommend the day of and the following
day after surgery, that no strenuous exercise be done.
Generally, taking time off work is not necessary for
a single tooth replacement case because the procedure
is not more complex than a tooth extraction. However,
the amount of time off required is an individual decision.
Is there a chance of rejection?
The body does not reject a dental implant, as it might
a soft tissue transplant, such as a lung, heart or kidney.
This does not mean that an implant cannot fail, but
it would be due to other factors, such as improper force
on the implant or other conditions or existing diseases
of the patient or poor oral hygiene. Dental implants
are made of a material, titanium, that is totally compatible
with body tissues and actually integrates with the surrounding
bone and becomes part of the body.
Who is a candidate for implants?
Anyone who is missing one or more (even all) of their
teeth may be a candidate for implants.
If one or a few of the teeth are missing, implants
in conjunction with a crown or bridge can replace those
teeth and function as normal teeth without losing more
bone and being subject to decay.
If all or most of your teeth are missing, then implants
may be placed to anchor a loose denture. Sometimes,
if there is already some bone loss, bone can be added
and regenerated or a technique called bone expansion
can be used to create a more ideal site for the implant(s).
Ultimately, a consultation with a dentist who is knowledgable
on these procedures can help determine your individual
needs.
What can happen with missing
teeth without treatment?
When you lose your teeth, you gradually lose the bone
that supported them. As this bone disappears, problems
with other teeth nearby and a lack of support for dentures,
partials and bridges increase. These could include pain,
mobility, lack of retention for prosthetics, sharp,
painful ridges, mobile gum tissue and sore spots.
The tongue enlarges to accommodate spaces of missing
teeth. With tooth loss, a five-fold decrease in function
occurs and the diet shifts to softer foods. Also, when
bone is lost, numbness to the lower lip or even the
possibility of fracture of the jaw rises.
Since the bone is deteriorating, it will spread and
deteriorate around healthy teeth and ultimately cause
the loss of those teeth smiliar to a domino effect.
This progresssion affects the ability to provide the
same treatment in the later stages of bone loss than
if treatment had been started earlier in the process.
It's much better to replace a tooth BEFORE these side
effects occur. A patient risks the possibility of not
being able to provide the same, simple type of treatment
that would have been possible earlier if treatment is
delayed.
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