FAQ – Dental Implants

Frequently Asked Dental Implant Questions & Answers

You probably have a lot of questions about dentures and dental implants—questions we want to answer. We’ve put together this FAQ list to help you learn more about these popular dental devices and how they can improve your life.

Structure of Dental Implant

Do dental implants look better than dentures?

Dental implants are a popular choice for many patients who are missing one or more teeth. Implants can be more natural-looking than dentures. Since the implant is implanted into the jawbone, your gum tissue will grow up around it just like your natural teeth. With dental implants, they look and feel like your natural teeth compared to dentures.

Are dental implants worth it?

One of the most common questions we get from our patients is: Are dental implants worth it? What we really mean is: Are they worth it to me? Everyone’s situation is different. Here are some things to consider when weighing this decision:

Budget: Dental implants cost more than dentures, and this can be a deciding factor depending on how much you can afford to pay out-of-pocket. For example, if you need multiple implants, your financial plan will need to include enough money for each surgery and whatever follow-up care is needed. If you don’t have dental insurance, this can quickly add up to thousands of dollars.
 
Cost. Implants can be expensive, especially upfront. Implants cost more than dentures, but they last longer and prevent bone loss around your jaw. One of the best things about dental implants is that unlike dentures or partials, which require you to replace them every few years, dental implants are permanent.

Appearance. Many people choose implants because they don’t want to wear dentures or worry about losing them or damaging them when eating. Once placed, they remain effective for the rest of your life. That means no more lost teeth, no more gaps in your smile and no more denture adhesives to deal with.

 
Diet: Whether or not you plan on eating hard foods like nuts and ice cream with your new teeth will also affect your decision. The more complex the types of food you eat, the less likely it is that dentures will work well for you long term.
 
Comfort: Obviously, if you’re having trouble chewing and talking because of missing teeth, then dental implants might be a better choice than dentures as they can be clunky to wear.

How much do dental implants cost?

The price of dental implants vary depending on multiple of factors such as if the patient is insured, how much does the dental insurance company covering, the type of treatment required and more. In general, the average cost for an implant, abutment, and crown ranges between $3000 to $4500.

What is the upside of dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent solution to a problem that many people experience. They are the only solution that provides a stable foundation for artificial teeth. This can have a significant impact on your life because it means you don’t have to worry about tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, loose dentures and cracked, chipped or broken teeth. Implants have many upsides including:

  • Improve your appearance 
  • Improve your self confidence
  • Can last a lifetime
  • Allow you to have an active lifestyle
  • Improve your ability to eat your favorite foods

What is the downside of dental implants?

Dental implants are very effective when it comes to replacing missing teeth. However, they don’t work for everyone if your bone is too soft or weak for dental implants. This isn’t common but it does happen in some cases. Just like with any procedure, dental implants do come with some risks and side effects such as:

Pain – This is the most common side effect of dental implants. Most of the time, the pain goes away after a few days, but it can last for longer periods of time. In some cases, patients find that they need pain medication to manage their discomfort.

Infection – When a dental implant is placed, there is a chance that it will become infected if any bacteria enter the body through the procedure or during recovery. Bacteria can get into the implant and cause an infection of the surrounding area of tissue. Patients who have dental implants may be at risk for an infection due to factors such as smoking or poor oral hygiene

Costly Procedure – A dental implant can be a costly procedure that may not always be covered by insurance.

Does Implant Surgery Hurt?

It’s a common misconception that dental implants are very painful. In fact, this is rarely the case. In our office, we will be taking extra steps to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible and receive exceptional care before, during, and after your implant procedure. We offer various options of sedation at our Fairview dental office.

How long do dental implants lasts?

The dental implant itself are designed to last a lifetime. It’s not unusual for people to get 20, 30, even 40 years of use from the same set of implants. This is assuming the patient receives regular dental check-ups every 6 months. The crown however can last for about 10 to 15 year before it needs to be replaced because of wear and tear.

Does food get under the dental implant?

When the implant is placed, it fuses with your jawbone to give the look of a natural tooth and keep it in close contact with your gums. Dental implants are secured along the gumline so that food cannot get under them. It is possible for food to get stuck if the implant has been placed incorrectly.

How many teeth can one implant hold?

Most dental implants can hold multiple teeth, but it depends on the type of implant. A single-tooth implant, for instance, can hold a single tooth without the need for a neighboring tooth on either side, or depending on the missing tooth, it can be placed to support two adjacent teeth. When it comes to multiple-tooth implants, the number of teeth they can support depends on what will be used for the procedure. Multiple implants can be used as a anchor to support fixed bridges or removable partials.

What is the success rate of dental implants?

It can vary from person to person and depending on your health and lifestyle. Dental implants can be successful for healthy individuals with good oral hygiene. They have success rates of 90% to 95%.

How soon after tooth extraction can I have an implant?

You can have an implant placed immediately after tooth extraction, although it is best to wait at least three to six months before having an implant placed. The gums will be healing, which means they are susceptible to infection, so it’s best to give the body time to heal before placing an implant.

Which is better mini implants vs regular implants?

One of the benefits of regular dental implant is their stability. The lifespan of original implants can last a lifetime with proper dental care. Mini dental implants, on the other hand will cost less than regular implants however they may not be as stable because of their size, and is generally used for patients who want to avoid the need for a bone graft.

What if I don't have enough bone to support implants?

If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone to support dental implants, you may still be a candidate. Through sinus lift procedures or bone grafting, we can rebuild the bone in your jaw where implants can be placed.

We’re Here for you

If you have questions about dental implants, contact us at our Fairview, TX dental office to schedule a in-person consultation with us today – 972-468-1440

Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.

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