What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. Dental implants are metal posts, or titanium posts, that are placed in your jawbone. They are placed in your jawbone to replace a missing root that is going to have a custom-made crown on top in order to give you back the chewing capacity and the smile that you need.
What conditions would a dentist recommend for a dental implant?
The main reason dental implants would be recommended is for missing teeth. When patients are missing teeth, of course, the best way to replace that tooth is with a dental implant.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
The advantages of dental implants are that they are going to replace, or give you back, the root that you lost, are going to keep stimulating your bone with chewing after the implant is functional, are going to restore your functionality, and, of course, your smile.
What is the process for getting a dental implant at Palm and Pearl Dental?
If you as a patient need and decide to go through the process for a dental implant, the way that we do it here at Palm and Pearl Dental is the best way to go because we are going to put together, first, a treatment plan that is custom-made for you, and then we're going to collect a lot of data that is going to allow us to put together the best treatment plan for you.
It is going to consist of a 3D image, which is a CBCT, in order to determine where your anatomical structures are and how tall and wide your bone is, so we can definitely put an implant in the predictable space. Besides that, we're going to do an intraoral scan that is going to register your mouth as it is. And we are going to design a custom-made surgical guide that is going to walk us through and allow us to place the implant in the most predictable way with no second-guessing.
What are the steps of placing a dental implant?
The steps of placing a dental implant start when you come in for the first visit, where we do all the diagnostic tools, and then we plan together with the lab and your surgical guide. We order the implants you need, and on the day of the procedure, you'll come into the office. We're going to get you nice and comfortable, and then we are going to go through the process to prepare the site where your bone is going to receive the implant.
Now, if you do need an extraction, it can vary. We can place the implant in the same appointment as the extraction, or if there's an infection, you might need some time for healing, and then we're going to place the implant. The process can typically take between four and 10 months, depending on the case.
When is a bone graft required?
When a bone graft is required, I get that question asked a lot of times. It's very common. After we remove a tooth, the tooth is pulled and the socket is empty. In order to preserve the walls of your bone, we graft the area to prepare the site to receive the implant.
What kind of teeth options are available with dental implants?
When you're choosing what kind of teeth you need, or you want, it all depends on how many teeth you're missing or what the general overall condition of your existing dentition is. If you're just missing one tooth, like in this case, we will put the implant here, and you will have your natural teeth next to it.
If you are missing all your teeth, when you don't have any teeth, you might need between four or six implants. We might do either a removable denture, or we will provide you with the best option, which is a fixed denture over the implants, which is going to basically give you the same feeling as your natural teeth.
Now, if you do have gum disease where your teeth have fallen really sick, and then you might need all the extractions, we can also do the procedure with all the extractions and the placement of the implants and the placement of immediate teeth in the same appointment.
What is the recovery time for dental implants?
The recovery time for dental implants also varies on the kind of surgery you are going to be facing. If it's just one tooth and one implant, the recovery is extremely easy. The patient typically doesn't need any pain medications. It's very straightforward. It's very predictable. It's a short appointment, and afterward, of course, you can expect some kind of soreness, but no pain. It's easier than the extraction, actually. Now, if you're having a full-mouth extraction with four or six implants, of course, the recovery is going to take a little bit longer.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants have a success rate above 95%. Dental implants can last your life if you take proper care of them. But that's a big statement. It also depends on your oral health, medical conditions, and whether you have a specific illness. If a patient has cancer and goes through chemotherapy and radiation, that can affect the integration of the implants in your bone, and then the dental implants can fail.
Also, if you don't take care of your oral hygiene and you're not compliant with your dental checkups, that also can jeopardize the integrity of the implants. Also, if you're a smoker, that is something that is a red flag for the integrity and longevity of implants.
Can dental implants get cavities or gum disease?
Dental implants don't get cavities. They don't. You're never going to have a cavity around an implant, but you can get periodontal issues around the implant, or gum disease around the implants, because the implant is in the bone, and if the integration of that implant with your bone is lost, then your gums are going to get affected, and then of course bacteria is going to deteriorate the integration and you might lose the dental implant.
How much does a dental implant cost?
By itself, a dental implant is around $1,900. But you also have to consider all the diagnostics that you need to do before that, which are CBCT, intraoral scan, and 3D images. We also need the surgical guide.
If you have an extraction done, you also need to consider the cost for the extraction and the bone graft, and, at the end, of course, the placement of the crown, or if you need an overdenture or full fixed denture over implants. The cost is going to vary.
What financing options are available for dental implants?
Regarding financing options, we do have financing options for you. We have external or third-party financing like Cherry and CareCredit, and also we have some other incentives for our patients.
Does dental insurance cover dental implants?
Insurance typically doesn't cover dental implants. They just don't pay for dental implants. They don't pay for bone grafts. That's why we give you the financing options here in the office.
How can I schedule an appointment with Palm and Pearl Dental to see if I am a good candidate for dental implants?
At Palm and Pearl Dental, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (239) 445-4205 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.