Dental Implant FAQs

A dental implant is a permanent replacement tooth. Using a small titanium dental appliance that resembles a screw, we surgically place the implant directly into your jawbone. This will serve as a new root for a false tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Implants are made from a biocompatible metal, titanium, which is used all over the human skeleton in surgical procedures. Titanium is unique because your living tissue is willing to grow around it, fusing it to your bone, making it part of your skeleton. Fused to our jawbone, implants serve as a strong anchor for a replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single, multiple, or even all of your missing teeth.

Choosing to have a dental implant placed is the best long-term replacement option. They are the most natural feeling, and have the highest success rate of any other dental restoration.

After a patient loses a tooth, immediate bone atrophy, or shrinkage, occurs. This problem will continue to worsen, and the effects may not be seen for years.

Patients love that implants are a singular fix. No clips, clasps, or adjustments needed. Under normal circumstances, it will serve its owner for life.

Implant placement has been studied for over three decades now. After more than a million patients treated, studies performed by Nobel Biocare have shown dental implants to have a 95% success rate for the long term. The 5% failure has been based on other factors, including having a dentist who is not trained in handling situations when issues arise, or when a patient has outside issues including smoking or diabetes which can inhibit healing.

Don’t trust the surgical placement of your dental implant to just anyone. Dr. Keith, Dr. Gibbs, and Dr. Wang are all highly trained, board-certified, prosthodontists. They specialize in placing tooth implants. Using our 3D Cone Beam technology, along with skill and knowledge, we are able to plan and place your implant with precision, right here in our office.

The best way to get an idea of costs is to schedule an evaluation. The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth.

For some patients, additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of their dental implants to ensure the long-term health of their dental implants. To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have Dr. Keith, Dr. Gibbs, and Dr. Wang examine your mouth. After a thorough diagnostic examination, we will recommend the treatment that is best for you.

We hope to be able to work with all of our patients in some capacity to replace missing teeth. Some factors may present a challenge, including bone loss or if the patient has some outside reason that may inhibit proper healing such as smoking or diabetes. We encourage everyone to inquire, though, and let us evaluate the situation. You may be surprised at what we can do. Dr. Keith or Dr. Gibbs will evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.

Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Certain chronic diseases may contraindicate dental implant treatment. Dr. Keith or Dr. Gibbs will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.

There are benefits that you will love. Patients who choose dental implants have noted:

• Improved appearance: When you lose the entire tooth – crown and root – shrinkage of the jawbone may occur. Dental implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or dental bridge doesn’t.
• Preserve neighboring natural teeth: With traditional dental bridges, teeth adjacent to missing teeth are normally ground down to be used as anchors for a dental bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
• Permanent solution: The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. For most patients, an implant will serve its owner for life.

Your restored implanted teeth will feel just like that, that your tooth has been restored. Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Patients love this because they find that they can resume eating and drinking whatever they choose. Most importantly, dental implants often improve patients’ quality of life in a very concrete way. Implants will increase your self-confidence, they will stop your remaining teeth from shifting, and they will help slow, or even stop, bone atrophy. We can help you make a significant difference.

When dental implants are used in combination with a customized dental crown, their appearance, comfort, and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often, they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.

Yes. Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is comparable to that of natural teeth.

Using our 3D Cone Beam system, along with guided surgical techniques, we can plant dental implants in a single session using keyhole surgery. This new method has significantly simplified the procedure for both patients and dentists. The major advantage of the guided surgical technique is the minimal amount of manipulation of the soft tissue due to keyhole surgery. This significantly reduces the healing time and the discomfort normally associated with traditional dental implant surgical techniques.

Dr. Keith or Dr. Gibbs will place the dental implant, which will heal and integrate with your bone over a period of three to six months. During the healing period, you are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place. Your permanent crown will be placed once the implant is firmly in place.

Adjustments to the placement of your implant may vary the process based on several factors, including your health, the number of teeth involved, and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to our office throughout the treatment period.

As with any surgical procedure, there may be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort than placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Dr. Keith, Dr. Gibbs, and Dr. Wang may prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.

The first couple of days following surgery, you will be uncomfortable. We may assist in reducing any pain with prescribed medication. Following placement, it is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. You can expect to be able to return to work within one to two days.

Just as your natural teeth, your new teeth need to be cared for and checked. The doctors and your dental hygienist will inform you to brush and floss your dental crowns placed over implants, just as you would your natural teeth. Continue to see your dentist every six months, or more frequently if so advised.