What if I am missing only
one or a few teeth. Why can't a fixed bridge be okay?
In some instances
they are the best options but not always. Good teeth often have to be
drilled down for fixed bridgework. The bridge often gets decay under it,
root canal treatment is required, and then more teeth are eventually lost.
Not to mention the tooth aches one can have. Fixed bridge work is
difficult to floss under. Most people don't do it. Done properly a dental
implant can outlast a bridge and if it does fail it is only one "tooth"
not several teeth.
Why can't a removable partial dentures be better than implants if I
have some teeth?
Again sometimes that is the best option but removable partials can
loosen teeth, cause further tooth loss, and present gum disease problems
for some. A number of patients do not tolerate removable partial dentures.
Many partials fail within five years. There is a lot of hardware in the
mouth to gain just a small biting surface area. The jaw bone continues to
shrink away.
How are implants done?
There are different
kinds of dental implants. For endoseous implants after a diagnostic work
up, careful examination, and treatment planning, the implant is placed in
bone and covered for 3 to 6 months. The surgery takes about an hour for
one implant. A second surgery uncovers the implant and then crown or other
restorative work is done about two weeks later. In certain situations a
one step surgery can be done.
Does it hurt?
Local anesthetic is used along with pre medication and twilight sleep
if desired so the patient is comfortable during the procedure.
What are other risks and
disadvantages of implants?
Bone grafting and
gingival surgery may be required. Sometimes implants are not as attractive
as a patient wishes. Excellent home care and regular visits to hygienist
required. Numbness and infection. Implants can fail. Implants will come
loose. They will break. Maintenance is required. Perfection is not
possible. It takes several visits to get the job done.
How long does an implant last?
The latest studies show that implants in the lower jaw have a 95%
success rate after ten years. Upper implant success approaches 90 percent
successful.
Does insurance cover
implants?
Sometimes. We can
work with your insurance company to get you reimbursed. " request for
equivalent benefits for alternative treatment" is done for you. We also
work with your medical doctor and your medical insurance in complex cases
for the surgical part of treatment.
What are the financial
arrangements?
There is a courtesy
discount for cash or check payments. We accept Mastercard and Visa. And we
can help with outside financing. Implants can be staged in so you can put
them in over time.
How long does it take to
complete an implant case?
For the endosteal
implant, which is the most popular kind today, it takes 3 to 6 months
healing time and another month to complete the prosthetics. For
subperiosteal implants it takes 6 to 8 weeks.
Why do implants seem to
cost so much compared to "regular" dentistry?
We expect dental
implants to out last conventional fixed bridge and partial work. Dental
implants require training far beyond dental school. Precision-machined
fixtures made of rare alloy are used. It takes several visits to complete
a case. The fee varies with the number of implants and difficulty. For an
upper and lower implant case it can be equal to a new car. A single
implant is similar in cost to a three unit fixed bridge. For some
patients, when cost is the major concern and the tooth loss extensive,
subperiosteal implants can be done. |
