Questions about dental implants.
The questions patients ask us most before deciding on an implant. Don't see yours? Call or text and ask a doctor.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
If you're missing a tooth from an injury, decay or gum disease, you may well be. Bone shrinks when a tooth has been gone for years, which can make it harder, but in most of those cases an implant is still possible. Some health conditions slow healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, steroid therapy, bone infections and connective tissue disorders. We look at your health history and your 3D scan, and we work with your physician when we need to.
I have diabetes. Can I get an implant?
If your diabetes is well controlled, or can be brought under good control, yes. Uncontrolled diabetes gets in the way of healing, so we'd work with your physician on that first.
Does it hurt?
The area is numbed for the procedure, so you shouldn't feel pain while we work. It's a minor surgery, similar to having a tooth out, and some swelling or tenderness afterward is normal. We give you medication and instructions for the days after. Nervous? Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available.
How long does placing the implant take?
About an hour, including numbing and your aftercare instructions.
How long until I have a tooth?
Usually four to six months. We check the implant about four months after it's placed, and in most cases we start your new tooth then. In the meantime we can make a temporary tooth you can take out. See the full timeline.
How many visits does it take?
For one or two teeth, at least three visits, each 30 minutes to an hour. An implant-held denture takes about five.
How many implants will I need?
One for each missing tooth when you're replacing one or two. To hold a full set of lower teeth, usually three to seven.
Can you take my tooth out and place the implant the same day?
Often, yes. When there's no infection, we usually take the tooth out and place the implant at the same appointment. If the tooth is infected or badly broken down, we take it out, let the area heal for about four months, and then place the implant.
How do you know exactly where to put the implant?
We plan it first on a 3D x-ray, which shows the bone, the nerve and the neighboring teeth, and choose the implant's size, position and angle before surgery. More on 3D planning.
What is the new tooth made of?
Ceramic or zirconia. Both are very hard and look like natural enamel, and each tooth is made for you.
Will I be able to chew normally?
Yes. Once the tooth is on, it looks, feels and works like a natural tooth. There are no food restrictions: hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy are all fine.
How successful are implants?
Very. Implants have been used for decades, and the large majority are still working 15 years later. Small problems are more common than failures. The most common is a loose screw, which we tighten. Where a crown is cemented on, it can come loose and we cement it back.
What if an implant fails?
We remove it, and in most cases a new one can go in the same spot or close by. Sometimes the area needs a bone graft or sinus lift first. It's about the same time and effort as the first implant.
How do I take care of my implant?
Almost the same as your natural teeth. Brush and floss, and use a water flosser each day to flush out anything that collects around the implant. Gum disease is the main reason implants are lost, just as it is for teeth, so keep up your regular cleanings. A night guard protects the implant and your other teeth.