Dental Implant Questions
The difference in price between Dental Implant Systems is rarely more than $100. The design of new modern Dental Implants are very similar nowadays. Remember, if you are being charged thousands of dollars more, you are being charged this extra for labour, not for a better brand. Of most importance is good planning and an experienced surgeon.
Full Dental Implant Price : $2850
Below you will find the most frequently asked questions by our patients over the phone or thru the form on the right hand side.
If you do not find your answer below please fill free to ask your Dental Implant questions at any time by calling us, using the query form or even using our blogging page on this website.
Q: How do we know if we are healthy enough to have dental implants?
A: Generally speaking, if a person healthy enough to undergo the treatment for fixed bridgework or tooth extractions, they can undergo dental implant treatment. Some patients may have general health conditions that would contraindicate dental implant procedures, but it is is unusual. The best form of dental implant for you is determined after a thorough examination and discussion with your dentist and periodontist or oral surgeon. The amount and location of available bone is usually the major determinant as to which implant system is to be used, or whether you are a good dental implant candidate.
Q: Why should I consider having dental implants?
If you have lost one or more teeth, you may be all familiar with the unpleasant consequences. For many, missing teeth lead to an unattractive smile, embarrassment from loose dentures, and pain or difficulty when eating.
Bridgework usually involves altering natural teeth to provide a stable foundation for support of replacement teeth. Partials and dentures can, at times, be very unstable leading to denture sores or speech difficulties.
Another known problem associated with tooth loss is a process of shrinking of the jawbone that can progress relentlessly over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial cosmetic changes as well
Because of the remarkable advances in dentistry in recent years, dental implants offer an effective solution to many of these problems.
Q: Is the concept of Dental Implants new?
Interestingly, dental implants have been performed for thousands of years. Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire implants in the jawbones. Pre-Columbian skeletal remains exhibit dental implants made of semi-precious stones. Recently, a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental implant in his jawbone. In the Middle East, implants made of ivory have been discovered in skeletons from the Middle Ages.
Modern implantology began in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. However, popularity really grew in the 1980’s with the increased success of the titanium cylinder. Since then, many brand name implants with minor variations have been approved.
Q: Where dental implants are concerned, are there risks of the body rejecting them?
When people hear the word “rejection” in connection with implants, they are usually describing conditions that can occur where there has been surgery that involves transplanting a vital organ such as a heart. However, dental implants fall into an entirely different category due to the fact that tissue matching, blood typing, etc., is not a factor as in the other procedures mentioned. The body completely accepts placement of dental implant material (like orthopedic materials which are similar) within bone; therefore, today’s dental implants meet with great success. Obviously, there are some dental implants that have not been successful. However, success has more to do with proper patient selection, proficiency of the practitioner, and the patient’s commitment to proper hygiene and preventive maintenance. Another factor in success involves regular follow-up care, just like other dental treatment. Both soft tissue health and the way the replacement teeth function and bite together must be evaluated periodically to ensure long term success of the dental implant.
Q: How long do Implants last?
This is a question impossible to answer. it would be the same as asking how long do teeth last? They could last a lifetime. However, we all can sight examples where teeth have not lasted a lifetime. We know that dental issues mostly happen from improper oral hygiene. It is the same for dental implants. With proper care and routine dental care they could last a lifetime.
Q: Who can restore the teeth on the top of dental implants?A general dentist trained to restore implants, an oral implantologist, or a prosthodontist can restore teeth. It is the choice of the patient to use a “one doctor approach,” whereby the oral implantologist does both the surgery and the restoration, or the “two doctor approach,” whereby the surgery and restoration are performed by two different clinicians.
Q: Is the placement of implants painful? How long does it take?
Implant placement usually does not result in post-operative discomfort -usually the patient takes a regular analgesic after the proceudre. If more extensive treatment is needed, for example bone grafts or many implants, then the post-operative course may require more time and prescribed medication. Anesthesia during the surgery makes the placement procedure pain-free. Depending on the complexity and number of implants being placed, the procedure can take between 30 minutes to 3-4 hours.
Q: I’ve heard that dental implants are experimental – is that true?
Absolutely not! Dental implants have a long history of use and success. Implants are the most thoroughly researched procedure in the history of dentistry and, while no procedure is 100% successful, the current technology has resulted in very high success rates in the hands of well-trained and experienced clinicians.
Q: I must have some teeth extracted and I intend to have implants placed to restore my ability to chew. Can a dental implant be placed at the same visit as the teeth are extracted?
Whether or not the dental implant can be placed immediately after extraction depends on the amount of available bone in the area and presence or absence of active infection. Placing the implant at the same visit helps preserve both width and height of bone and may prevent the need for placing bone grafts when bone naturally shrinks back after teeth are extracted. During the first year after teeth have been removed, as much as 40% of jawbone width can be lost. Sometimes, infection from a tooth or periodontal disease has destroyed the bone to such an extent that it becomes necessary to do a bone grafting procedure prior to implant placement. If it is possible to place the implant at the same visit as the teeth are extracted, this can save at least three months in healing time compared to waiting for an extraction site to heal before the implants can be placed.
Q: Why do dentures lose their fit?
In many cases, the pressure of dentures or partials on the tissues causes gums to get “flabby” and bone to shrink over time. When this occurs, the dentures usually become loose and awkward even when adhesives are applied, much like the way clothes become baggy when one loses weight, and this causes more bone loss and gum problems. With dental implants, bone loss as well as gum erosion are slowed. Unlike dentures, which put pressure and stress on top of the gums and jaw bone, endosseous (“in-the-bone”) implants are actually surrounded by bone and the chewing forces transfer pressures into the bone, much like teeth do. This actually can strengthen the bone and increase bone density, reducing the bone shrinkage seen regularly from dentures.
Q: I have a tooth that is broken and my dentist recommended extraction and a bridge, but I’m not excited about grinding down the perfectly good teeth on each side to make a bridge –could dental implant work here?
Most likely an implant could work very well in this situation. Filing down teeth weakens them and makes them more susceptible to decay, gum problems and possible root canals. Sometimes a bridge is still the best alternative, but an implant can often be a better option. An implant will be easier to clean and floss, won’t require attachment to or damage other teeth and is as close as we can come to naturally giving you back your missing tooth.
Q: I’ve had dentures for several years and have lost a lot of jawbone. My lower dentures are floaters and I need help. Is there still hope for me?
In most cases, with the new options available today in the field of dental implants, some form of treatment can be done. We encourage people to get help as soon as possible if they are already having some problems with their current situation. These problems include: excessive use of denture adhesives, chewing only soft food, unable to taste some foods, constant mouth sores, unhappy with the appearance of one’s teeth and bite position (in some cases the nose and chin getting closer together). The sooner the problems are corrected with dental implants the more choices one has available for treatment. If you have any or all of the above symptoms, implants could very well be the answer for you.
Q: I have been a denture wearer for many years now and use denture adhesives to hold my teeth in place and am getting tired of the constant bad taste and mess in my mouth. Could dental implants eliminate using adhesives?
A common complaint is having to constantly add adhesives to secure dentures, especially after drinking a cup of coffee or eating a meal. This can really be a nuisance when eating out at a restaurant and having to excuse yourself from the table to go to the rest room because your dentures won’t stay in. Laughing, sneezing and coughing can also cause trouble for people who depend on adhesives to hold their teeth in place. It may be funny to see another person having a denture fall out, but it is not funny to the person who has to deal with these embarrassing situations on a daily basis. Denture wearers with problems such as these are not alone. There are 30 million people in the United States with no teeth and 29% in this group chew only soft foods.
Q: I have a full set of dentures. My uppers are fine, but my lowers are constantly a juggling act when I try to eat. Can I have implants on the lower and keep a full denture on top?
Certainly. Your situation is a very common one. The full lower denture is the most unstable prosthesis fabricated in dental practice. During chewing, the average lower denture moves five times more than an upper denture. The person with advanced bone loss has additional problems of poor muscle coordination, speech difficulties, and inability to keep the denture in place, all of which adversely influence a normal lifestyle. Dental implants can be the solution to all of these problems. Even in cases where a lot of bone loss has occurred there still is a good chance something can be done. In most cases, a thorough oral exam and a panoramic x-ray is all that is needed to determine if you are a good candidate for implants.
Q: I am missing all of my teeth and am now wearing a full upper and lower denture. I can no longer tolerate my lowers. Will I need an implant for every tooth I am replacing on the lower jaw?
It is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth that is being replaced. The number of implants necessary to provide support depends on the type of implants used and the type of teeth (removable vs. non- removable) that will be attached to the implants. For example in this case, if you’re a good candidate for endosseous (in-the-bone) implants, you may require between 2-8 implants, depending on the technique used to support a full compliment of lower teeth. A thorough oral exam and panoramic x-ray is all that is necessary in most cases, to determine which implant can be used and how many must be used. Sometimes additional x-rays or CT scans are used in more complicated cases.
Q: I had a root canal on a tooth that fractured and now it has to be removed. Can it be replaced with a dental implant or do I have to have a bridge or a partial?
Teeth that have root canals can fracture more easily than other teeth because they are weaker and somewhat dehydrated. They can sometimes be as brittle as glass. In the past the best available treatment was to remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth and make a bridge – caps on the adjacent teeth with an attached “dummy” tooth in between. Sometimes this still is the only way. However, in many cases a dental implant can replace the fractured tooth and no teeth need to be ground down at all.
A: Generally speaking, if a person healthy enough to undergo the treatment for fixed bridgework or tooth extractions, they can undergo dental implant treatment. Some patients may have general health conditions that would contraindicate dental implant procedures, but it is is unusual. The best form of dental implant for you is determined after a thorough examination and discussion with your dentist and periodontist or oral surgeon. The amount and location of available bone is usually the major determinant as to which implant system is to be used, or whether you are a good dental implant candidate.
Q: Why should I consider having dental implants?
If you have lost one or more teeth, you may be all familiar with the unpleasant consequences. For many, missing teeth lead to an unattractive smile, embarrassment from loose dentures, and pain or difficulty when eating.
Bridgework usually involves altering natural teeth to provide a stable foundation for support of replacement teeth. Partials and dentures can, at times, be very unstable leading to denture sores or speech difficulties.
Another known problem associated with tooth loss is a process of shrinking of the jawbone that can progress relentlessly over the years. Bone atrophy not only affects jaw function, but can cause adverse facial cosmetic changes as well
Because of the remarkable advances in dentistry in recent years, dental implants offer an effective solution to many of these problems.
Q: Is the concept of Dental Implants new?
Interestingly, dental implants have been performed for thousands of years. Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire implants in the jawbones. Pre-Columbian skeletal remains exhibit dental implants made of semi-precious stones. Recently, a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental implant in his jawbone. In the Middle East, implants made of ivory have been discovered in skeletons from the Middle Ages.
Modern implantology began in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. However, popularity really grew in the 1980’s with the increased success of the titanium cylinder. Since then, many brand name implants with minor variations have been approved.
Q: Where dental implants are concerned, are there risks of the body rejecting them?
When people hear the word “rejection” in connection with implants, they are usually describing conditions that can occur where there has been surgery that involves transplanting a vital organ such as a heart. However, dental implants fall into an entirely different category due to the fact that tissue matching, blood typing, etc., is not a factor as in the other procedures mentioned. The body completely accepts placement of dental implant material (like orthopedic materials which are similar) within bone; therefore, today’s dental implants meet with great success. Obviously, there are some dental implants that have not been successful. However, success has more to do with proper patient selection, proficiency of the practitioner, and the patient’s commitment to proper hygiene and preventive maintenance. Another factor in success involves regular follow-up care, just like other dental treatment. Both soft tissue health and the way the replacement teeth function and bite together must be evaluated periodically to ensure long term success of the dental implant.
Q: How long do Implants last?
This is a question impossible to answer. it would be the same as asking how long do teeth last? They could last a lifetime. However, we all can sight examples where teeth have not lasted a lifetime. We know that dental issues mostly happen from improper oral hygiene. It is the same for dental implants. With proper care and routine dental care they could last a lifetime.
Q: Who can restore the teeth on the top of dental implants?A general dentist trained to restore implants, an oral implantologist, or a prosthodontist can restore teeth. It is the choice of the patient to use a “one doctor approach,” whereby the oral implantologist does both the surgery and the restoration, or the “two doctor approach,” whereby the surgery and restoration are performed by two different clinicians.
Q: Is the placement of implants painful? How long does it take?
Implant placement usually does not result in post-operative discomfort -usually the patient takes a regular analgesic after the proceudre. If more extensive treatment is needed, for example bone grafts or many implants, then the post-operative course may require more time and prescribed medication. Anesthesia during the surgery makes the placement procedure pain-free. Depending on the complexity and number of implants being placed, the procedure can take between 30 minutes to 3-4 hours.
Q: I’ve heard that dental implants are experimental – is that true?
Absolutely not! Dental implants have a long history of use and success. Implants are the most thoroughly researched procedure in the history of dentistry and, while no procedure is 100% successful, the current technology has resulted in very high success rates in the hands of well-trained and experienced clinicians.
Q: I must have some teeth extracted and I intend to have implants placed to restore my ability to chew. Can a dental implant be placed at the same visit as the teeth are extracted?
Whether or not the dental implant can be placed immediately after extraction depends on the amount of available bone in the area and presence or absence of active infection. Placing the implant at the same visit helps preserve both width and height of bone and may prevent the need for placing bone grafts when bone naturally shrinks back after teeth are extracted. During the first year after teeth have been removed, as much as 40% of jawbone width can be lost. Sometimes, infection from a tooth or periodontal disease has destroyed the bone to such an extent that it becomes necessary to do a bone grafting procedure prior to implant placement. If it is possible to place the implant at the same visit as the teeth are extracted, this can save at least three months in healing time compared to waiting for an extraction site to heal before the implants can be placed.
Q: Why do dentures lose their fit?
In many cases, the pressure of dentures or partials on the tissues causes gums to get “flabby” and bone to shrink over time. When this occurs, the dentures usually become loose and awkward even when adhesives are applied, much like the way clothes become baggy when one loses weight, and this causes more bone loss and gum problems. With dental implants, bone loss as well as gum erosion are slowed. Unlike dentures, which put pressure and stress on top of the gums and jaw bone, endosseous (“in-the-bone”) implants are actually surrounded by bone and the chewing forces transfer pressures into the bone, much like teeth do. This actually can strengthen the bone and increase bone density, reducing the bone shrinkage seen regularly from dentures.
Q: I have a tooth that is broken and my dentist recommended extraction and a bridge, but I’m not excited about grinding down the perfectly good teeth on each side to make a bridge –could dental implant work here?
Most likely an implant could work very well in this situation. Filing down teeth weakens them and makes them more susceptible to decay, gum problems and possible root canals. Sometimes a bridge is still the best alternative, but an implant can often be a better option. An implant will be easier to clean and floss, won’t require attachment to or damage other teeth and is as close as we can come to naturally giving you back your missing tooth.
Q: I’ve had dentures for several years and have lost a lot of jawbone. My lower dentures are floaters and I need help. Is there still hope for me?
In most cases, with the new options available today in the field of dental implants, some form of treatment can be done. We encourage people to get help as soon as possible if they are already having some problems with their current situation. These problems include: excessive use of denture adhesives, chewing only soft food, unable to taste some foods, constant mouth sores, unhappy with the appearance of one’s teeth and bite position (in some cases the nose and chin getting closer together). The sooner the problems are corrected with dental implants the more choices one has available for treatment. If you have any or all of the above symptoms, implants could very well be the answer for you.
Q: I have been a denture wearer for many years now and use denture adhesives to hold my teeth in place and am getting tired of the constant bad taste and mess in my mouth. Could dental implants eliminate using adhesives?
A common complaint is having to constantly add adhesives to secure dentures, especially after drinking a cup of coffee or eating a meal. This can really be a nuisance when eating out at a restaurant and having to excuse yourself from the table to go to the rest room because your dentures won’t stay in. Laughing, sneezing and coughing can also cause trouble for people who depend on adhesives to hold their teeth in place. It may be funny to see another person having a denture fall out, but it is not funny to the person who has to deal with these embarrassing situations on a daily basis. Denture wearers with problems such as these are not alone. There are 30 million people in the United States with no teeth and 29% in this group chew only soft foods.
Q: I have a full set of dentures. My uppers are fine, but my lowers are constantly a juggling act when I try to eat. Can I have implants on the lower and keep a full denture on top?
Certainly. Your situation is a very common one. The full lower denture is the most unstable prosthesis fabricated in dental practice. During chewing, the average lower denture moves five times more than an upper denture. The person with advanced bone loss has additional problems of poor muscle coordination, speech difficulties, and inability to keep the denture in place, all of which adversely influence a normal lifestyle. Dental implants can be the solution to all of these problems. Even in cases where a lot of bone loss has occurred there still is a good chance something can be done. In most cases, a thorough oral exam and a panoramic x-ray is all that is needed to determine if you are a good candidate for implants.
Q: I am missing all of my teeth and am now wearing a full upper and lower denture. I can no longer tolerate my lowers. Will I need an implant for every tooth I am replacing on the lower jaw?
It is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth that is being replaced. The number of implants necessary to provide support depends on the type of implants used and the type of teeth (removable vs. non- removable) that will be attached to the implants. For example in this case, if you’re a good candidate for endosseous (in-the-bone) implants, you may require between 2-8 implants, depending on the technique used to support a full compliment of lower teeth. A thorough oral exam and panoramic x-ray is all that is necessary in most cases, to determine which implant can be used and how many must be used. Sometimes additional x-rays or CT scans are used in more complicated cases.
Q: I had a root canal on a tooth that fractured and now it has to be removed. Can it be replaced with a dental implant or do I have to have a bridge or a partial?
Teeth that have root canals can fracture more easily than other teeth because they are weaker and somewhat dehydrated. They can sometimes be as brittle as glass. In the past the best available treatment was to remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth and make a bridge – caps on the adjacent teeth with an attached “dummy” tooth in between. Sometimes this still is the only way. However, in many cases a dental implant can replace the fractured tooth and no teeth need to be ground down at all.
Why not ask your Dental Implant Questions?
Price for a full Dental Implant including fixture and crown is $2850. Further discount may apply for cases requiring more than 2 implants. Discounted prices and quotes for cases requiring more than 2 implants can only be given during consultation with the surgeon.
