Our Team Answers Common Questions
At Premier Implant Centers, in addition to creating beautiful new smiles, we want all our prospective and current dental implant patients to know what to expect from day one of their dental implant journey. Our team will walk you through the entire process and answer questions along the way, making sure you’re completely comfortable from the moment you visit one of our five practice locations. The decision to replace missing teeth is an important one, so we developed this dental implant FAQ in Connecticut and New York to address common concerns and questions.
Dental implants are made up of a post, abutment, and restoration that mimic the function of natural teeth. Secured in your jawbone, dental implants are considered the gold standard tooth replacement solution for replacing any number of missing teeth and restoring smile function and aesthetics. Once they fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration, dental implants provide unparalleled longevity, functional benefits, and natural appearance.
Dental implants are used to provide retention and support for a removable overdenture that snaps on the implants. Unlike traditional dentures, this type of full denture doesn’t move or fall out and restores 60% of normal function versus just 20%. Dental implants can also be used to create a fixed denture that is connected to the implants using titanium components. This type requires professional removal.
This protocol is similar to the popular All-on-4 method, but it enables placing as many as eight implants, which may be necessary for patients with more complex cases. Additional implants provide greater stability, improved biting and chewing capability, and a more even distribution of pressure to help extend the life of your prosthetic arch.
Research shows that dental implants have attained a success rate between 90% and 95% since their introduction decades ago. With our advanced skills and clinical experience, coupled with state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials, we achieve a consistent success rate over 98%.
Although good gum and bone health is optimal, our board-certified oral surgeons are experts in treating patients with extensive bone and tooth loss and those with medically challenging conditions. We frequently treat patients with complex cases other practices have turned away.
Our oral surgeons use sophisticated technology to determine the most optimal surgical placement of dental implants in your jawbone. After the dental implants fuse with your jawbone, they function like your natural tooth root to support your new restoration, whether a single crown or full arch.
A minimum of four or more precisely and strategically placed implants are needed to restore a full smile. The All-on-X protocol provides more flexibility than All-on-4, giving us the ability to place as many as eight dental implants to address more complex cases.
This depends on your oral health, number of teeth and which ones are being replaced, and procedures that need to be performed in preparation (e.g. tooth extraction or bone grafting). In general, the entire process can take 3-9 months if there are no extenuating circumstances. It may take longer if you need an extraction or bone grafting or have a complicated case involving gum disease or systemic conditions that impact healing.
In a very small percentage of cases, dental implants may not successfully integrate with the bone. This typically occurs in the first three months following the procedure. If this happens, we can remove the implants and immediately replace them with slightly wider ones. Or we will remove them, place grafts of bone in the empty spaces, and allow the area to heal for several months before trying again.
Various medications, radiation treatment, debilitating ailments that aren’t properly controlled (e.g. diabetes, hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis), a weak immune system, or tobacco use have all been shown to potentially increase the risk of implant failure. Bone loss and oral disease can lead to failure, but restoring bone and gum health and allowing it to heal properly prior to dental implants being placed can prevent this. Last, poor oral hygiene and maintenance can result in peri-implantitis, an infection and inflammation of gum tissue surrounding your implants.
The procedure itself isn’t painful because we use local anesthesia to completely numb your mouth. We also offer IV sedation for patients that need it. Once the numbness wears off, you may experience mild pain, but it is typically less than that associated with tooth extraction. We prescribe antibiotics and pain medication that help alleviate possible postsurgical issues.
You shouldn’t spit, suck on straws, or smoke because this can dislodge blood clots and slow healing. You’ll need to eat only soft foods for the first 24 hours to prevent gum injury. We also ask that you don’t try to clean the implant area for a few days, although you can clean the rest of your mouth. We’ll give you an antibacterial rinse to help keep the area clean. You’ll return in 7 to 10 days so we can remove stitches and check your progress.
On average, most people feel discomfort in the treated area, face, and jaw for 10-14 days. Swelling and pain start to decrease starting the third day after your procedure. In rare cases, pain and swelling can persist after 14 days, which may be a sign of infection. Should you experience this, call our office right away and we’ll work you into our schedule.
The cost of dental implants varies based on many factors, including how many teeth are missing, your overall dental health, types of materials used, and additional required procedures. To help you afford treatment, our front office team will work with you to maximize dental benefits and get you set up with third-party financing.
Dental implants are designed to last for decades and have the potential to last a lifetime. Surgical technology, clinical experience, and your commitment to good oral hygiene all impact the longevity of dental implants. Choosing skilled oral surgeons with clinical expertise and in-depth implant experience ensures more precise and accurate surgery and increases the chance of long-term success.
Dental implants require the same care as your natural teeth. Following good oral hygiene is key to ensuring the quality and lifespan of your dental implants. Brush at least twice a day, floss daily, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, and schedule regular dental check-ups.
Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are medical doctors with in-depth expertise in all aspects of implant surgery and anesthesia. This enables us to provide tooth replacement solutions to people with pre-existing medical conditions and those in need of complex care that a majority of dentists can’t handle. We have a proven track record providing successful tooth replacement options for patients with facial trauma, ill-fitting dentures, significant bone loss, and challenging medical conditions that negatively impact the healing process.
Considering getting dental implants and have a question not answered here?
We encourage you to contact one of our four practices today!
