Frequently Asked Questions

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Dental Implants

What are dental implants?
Dental implants replace missing teeth. Instead of resting on the gum like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that are surgically placed in the jawbone.
What are the pros and cons of dentures or bridges versus implants?
Traditional options like bridges or dentures are slightly less expensive than implants and restore chewing function. However, they do not prevent bone loss and don’t last as long as implants. Implants prevent bone loss and allow you to eat whatever you want instead of what you have to, and may improve your ability to taste. Additionally, implants don't require grinding down healthy teeth the way bridges do to give support to the artificial tooth.
How long do dental implants last?
If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.
When do I need an implant as opposed to a crown?
If a tooth has been damaged, you may need a crown to cover a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size. Implants replace teeth that are completely missing.
How long does the whole implant procedure take?
It depends on the surgical approach to the implant procedure. As explained below, using the standard approach, the overall process can take from two to six or seven months; there are newer technologies that can reduce the time required to as little as a day after the initial consultation.
What is the traditional dental implant process?
Once you and your dentist have decided to proceed with a dental implant, the first step is a thorough oral examination and medical examination by the dental team handling the implant treatment. Your examination may include several x-rays and other diagnostic tests, such as a CT scan.

Next comes the surgical procedure of placing the implant, which typically occurs in the oral and maxillofacial surgery office. The time required for surgery may vary, and following surgery, we may ask you to spend time “in recovery” in our offices before going home. The next phase involves osseointegration - the fusing of the titanium implant post with surrounding bone tissue. This process can take from two to six months.

When the implant has fused with the bone and your gum tissues have healed, you’re ready to visit the restorative dentist who will begin fabricating your new artificial teeth. This part of the process may involve one or more visits to make a precise model of your mouth, and it may take a few weeks to build your prosthesis.
What is the “Virtually Yours: Implants in a Daytm” implant process?
In this innovative approach, the time required for the dental implant process is greatly reduced. It begins with an initial examination in which we make a model or digital image of your mouth. At your next appointment, we place the implant. Your dentist then places the new tooth. Best of all, compared to the traditional approach in which healing can take several months, in this approach you will be able to eat immediately or soon after the treatment.

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