What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. The implant is placed into the jawbone (upper or lower jaw), where it integrates with the bone and becomes the foundation for a prosthetic restoration. Dental implants can be used to replace one or multiple missing teeth.
The new teeth supported by implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Dental implants are a proven and reliable solution with a long clinical history. They help maintain facial structure integrity and reduce difficulties associated with tooth loss.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Anyone who has lost one or more teeth due to trauma, disease, or decay may be a candidate for dental implants. If one, several, or all teeth are missing, implants combined with a crown or bridge can replace them effectively.
Sometimes, older patients express concerns that their age might prevent them from benefiting from dental implants. However, health is a far more important factor than age.
If you are healthy enough to undergo a tooth extraction, then you are likely healthy enough to receive an implant. After a thorough evaluation of your dental and medical history, along with radiographic findings, we will determine whether implants are the right solution for your case.
At this stage, any questions or concerns you have will be addressed.
Will There Be Pain or Discomfort?
Most patients report only mild discomfort on the first day and feel much more comfortable than expected post-operatively when following proper care instructions.
The implants we use are placed using a gentle technique, with careful attention to surrounding tissues. Local anesthesia is used to eliminate discomfort during the procedure.
You also have the option to speak with a patient who has already undergone a similar procedure to hear about their experience firsthand.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
The benefits of implant therapy include:
- Aesthetic improvement
- Increased ability to chew and enjoy food
- Preservation of remaining teeth and jawbone
Dental implants provide unmatched advantages in replacing missing teeth.
Simply put, implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.
How Long Does the Treatment Take?
The treatment duration varies, depending on the specific case.
Will I Be Without Teeth During the Process?
This depends on the individual case. However, most patients leave the clinic with a temporary prosthetic solution.
What Is the Cost of Dental Implants?
The cost of dental implants depends on several factors, including:
- The number of missing teeth
- The number of implants required
- Additional procedures needed for long-term implant success
It is important to note that not every missing tooth requires an individual implant—strategically placed implants can support multiple teeth.
To determine the exact cost, a comprehensive oral examination is required. After a detailed diagnostic evaluation, we will recommend the best treatment plan for you and provide a cost estimate.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
There is over 40 years of experience in replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
For example, studies show that implant-supported bridges by Nobel Biocare have a 90% success rate lasting over 15 years. All indications suggest that dental implants can last much longer with proper care.
Is Implant Care Important After Treatment?
YES! Proper care is essential to maintain the long-term success of your implants. You are responsible for daily plaque removal, which is achieved through brushing and flossing around the restorations—just like with natural teeth. After the placement of the final prosthetic, we will provide you with detailed implant care instructions and establish a routine follow-up schedule.
Can an Implant Be Rejected?
Dental implants are made of titanium, a material that is biocompatible with body tissues. The implant integrates with the bone, becoming a part of the jaw.
Titanium is widely used in medicine for replacing body parts, such as joints.
While implant failure is possible, it is usually due to:
- Underlying health conditions
- Improper placement
- Excessive force on the implants
- Other contributing factors
What Happens If I Don’t Get Treatment?
When you lose a tooth, you gradually lose the supporting bone as well.
As the bone resorbs, it can cause:
- Pain and mobility of remaining teeth
- Sharp and painful ridges
- Loss of support for prosthetics (both fixed and removable)
- Enlargement of the tongue to fill the space of missing teeth
Tooth loss also leads to:
- Reduced chewing efficiency, often leading to a soft-food diet
- Numbness in the lower lip due to bone loss
- Potential jaw fractures from excessive bone resorption
- Expansion of bone loss around healthy teeth, increasing the risk of further tooth loss
Additionally, advanced bone loss can complicate future treatment, making it more difficult to achieve the same results that would have been possible earlier. Replacing a missing tooth before complications arise is always the best option.
Delaying treatment increases the risk of losing the opportunity to undergo a simpler procedure that could have been performed earlier.
Will Others Notice That I Have an Implant?
Modern implant treatments allow you to have teeth that look, feel, and function naturally.
Although others will not be able to tell that you have implants, many patients are so satisfied with the results that they openly share their experiences.
Dental implants provide one of the most natural and effective restorations in modern dentistry.
What Should I Expect After Treatment?
Just like natural teeth, dental implants require daily home care and routine dental visits.
To keep your implants clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing are essential!
After treatment, we will design the best care plan for you, and schedule periodic follow-ups to monitor the health of your implants, teeth, and gums.
Will There Be Swelling After Implant Placement?
This varies from patient to patient. However, most patients experience only mild swelling, which subsides within one to two days and is considered completely normal.