Implants are a commitment to your oral health, and it is important to know what you are signing up for before setting out on large projects to support your treatment’s success. The following is a list of common questions with information to help you on your journey.
How Long Does Dental Implant Treatment Take?
Dental implant treatment takes anywhere between 1 hour for mini implants to several months for traditional implants.
Mini implants may be pressed into service before your bone fuses to their titanium body, thanks to their screw design.
Traditional implants need your bone to integrate with the post before regular forces can be placed on them, and the wait can be as short as 2 months or as long as 8 or more.
Good oral hygiene is important to promote the successful integration of your implants. Once they are set, they can serve you well for life.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small rod, called a post of biocompatible titanium inserted into your very own jawbone. Once your bone fuses to it, which with proper oral hygiene, biting habits, and time, it will, then you will have a very strong and permanent anchor in your mouth. Crown teeth, bridges, or dentures can then be supported by your post.
While the single tooth may be colloquially referred to as “an implant”, it is a crown, and the post in your bone is the true implant.
Why Do Patients Prefer Dental Implants Over Other Dental Work?
Dental implants are permanent fixtures in your mouth. Many people appreciate the stability, and how similar they are to natural teeth in both appearance and care.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Remember that implant restorations are made of up to 3 parts: the implant, the abutment, and the crown/bridge/denture (aka the visible part of your tooth on top). The dental implants themselves can last decades, even up to a lifetime with normal oral hygiene and good oral habits!
The crowns may be worn and need replacing or upkeep within 10–15 years. Bruxism, the medical term for teeth clenching, can apply extremely strong forces to your crown tooth and natural teeth and wear them down faster. To make the crowns last longer, you can get a mouthguard to prevent your teeth from extra grinding or clenching.
Who Qualifies For Dental Implants? Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Healthy people who can heal from surgery, and have thick enough bone mass to accommodate a little titanium post or screw undergoing bite force are good candidates for implants.
Due to their cost, implants are usually suggested for people who are already missing one or more teeth. This helps them access dental insurance assistance.
Implants are also a procedure that can be opted into for people excited to no longer worry about the state of their tooth enamel. Gum health will always be important and require regular oral hygiene habits, however.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
There are so many factors that go into the total cost for an individual, that we can’t give a more accurate price without seeing you for a consultation first.
The implant cost changes based on many things:
- The size of the implant—regular or mini.
- The number of implants.
- Where the implant is going.
- The type of tooth restoration—single tooth or dentures.
- Insurance coverage.
- Whether a bone graft or additional treatment is needed prior to implants.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants work by being placed in the bone to integrate with the rest of your body. Integration makes your implant as sturdy and secure as your bones!
Once that is done (or, given the method, sometimes there is no waiting for osseointegration) your permanent tooth is restored to the top of the implant. The crown tooth will be fully functional upon installation. You may even want to be careful that you do not bite extra hard.
With proper care, your new tooth can last a lifetime!
Will I Need To See an Oral Surgeon To Have Dental Implants Placed?
It depends on the office. Some offices may refer you to a local oral surgeon to place the implant while they handle restoring the dental crown or dentures on top. Other offices, like ours at Dental by Design, have dentists on hand that are qualified and trained to place your dental implants and crowns all on-site in our Phoenix location.
Get Your FREE Implant Consultation in Phoenix Today!
Visit Dental by Design in Phoenix, AZ, and you will have a diversity of options including dental implants, implant dentures, mini implants, and more available at your fingertips. Our clinic is a one-stop shop with general dentists and specialists all under one roof.
Are you ready for a FREE dental implant consultation? Schedule your appointment at Dental by Design today!
