Dental Implants Questions
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by a periodontist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
- Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Every way you look at it, dental implants are a better solution to the problem of missing teeth.
- Esthetic Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
- Tooth-saving Dental implants don’t sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
- Confidence Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They’ll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.
- Reliable The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own. Your dentist and periodontist will work together to make your dreams come true.
This procedure is a team effort between you, your dentist and your periodontist. Your periodontist and dentist will consult with you to determine where and how your implant should be placed. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs. Click for more information about the treatment options described below.
- Replacing a Single Tooth If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root.
- Replacing Several Teeth If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
- Replacing All of Your Teeth If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
2012 copyright. The American Academy of Periodontology.
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www.perio.org
This procedure is done by an immediate implant placement using an immediate temporary crown. Every situation varies, but in some cases your periodontist can remove your tooth and place an implant on the same day (immediate placement). A temporary crown may also be placed on the implant as well (immediate temporization).
Periodontal Questions
You’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, and your periodontist has recommended periodontal surgery. Like many patients, you may have some concerns. This provides answers to questions frequently asked by patients diagnosed with periodontal disease. It’s important for you to find answers to your questions before surgery, because knowing what lies ahead will enable you to actively participate in your health care decisions. You’ll be one step closer to a healthy mouth and a happy smile.
You need periodontal surgery because the tissues around your teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.
New treatment options using refined techniques can be performed comfortably as office procedures. Improvements in medications, local anesthesia, anxiety and pain control and conscious sedation are available to make your treatment more pleasant and comfortable.
It’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions. Patients generally can expect to enjoy their normal routine the following day. Talk to us about any special post-operative considerations you may have, such as diet, exercise or follow-up medications. This will help to minimize disruption of your daily activities.
Many insurance plans pay a portion of periodontal services. Your periodontal health is important, so talk to us about payment options. Oftentimes, the office staff will work with your insurance company to secure maximum benefits.
Your comfort and confidence in the recommended treatment plan is important to us, and your overall satisfaction with this health care decision. As always, if you have any additional questions about periodontal surgery, don’t hesitate to ask.
Your First Visit
On your first visit to our office, before any therapy is undertaken, we will provide you with the necessary examination. Following your examination, we will discuss the periodontal treatment that will be best, the options for treatment, the fees for the treatment, and the risks to your oral health if the appropriate treatment is not completed. With this information, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding your treatment.
Please complete the Patient Information (link) form and bring it with you at your appointment. If you are unable to complete the patient information form prior to your appointment time, please arrive fifteen minutes early to do so. If you have dental benefits, please bring that information with you, also.
Treatment Questions
Most procedures are completed using a long-lasting local anesthetic like the one used in your general dentist’s office. In addition, we offer sedation options to be used in conjunction with local anesthetic, such as oral sedatives, nitrous oxide, IV sedation and general anesthesia.
Most patients return to work the same day or following one.
You may return to your normal diet in a week or when your Periodontist instructs you to.
Yes, there could be several sutures. Some may dissolve, and the rest will be removed at your follow-up appointment in one week.
The doctor will prescribe an antibiotic if necessary
You may try Tylenol or Advil first, however, the doctor will prescribe a stronger medication if necessary
Brush and floss everywhere in your mouth except the surgical site where the pink packing is.
Yes, you will need to ice the area for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for the first day.
No. Smoking interferes with your ability to heal.
It is normal to have a little bleeding during the first 24 hours after your surgery. Please refer to your post-operative instructions and call our office if the bleeding continues.
Appointment Questions
Appointment times will vary according to the type of procedure you are having. Generally, a consultation takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. Surgical appointments will take 1-2 hours, or longer if there is extensive treatment being rendered.
Please bring your completed health history and HIPAA forms that were mailed to you. If you don’t receive these forms, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to allow time to complete them. In addition, bring your insurance information and any x-rays and/or notes that were given to you by your general dentist.
FOR MAINTENANCE CLEANINGS or SCALING ROOT PLANING PROCEDURES:
A 48 BUSINESS HOURS NOTICE prior to appointment time is required for ANY one (1) hour appointment. Cancellation, less than that time period, will result in a $75.00 charge.
A 72 BUSINESS HOURS NOTICE prior to appointment time is required for ANY two (2) hour appointment. Cancellation, less than that time period, will result in a $100.00 charge.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations cannot be accepted via email.
FOR ALL SURGICAL PROCEDURES:
A 48 BUSINESS HOURS NOTICE prior to appointment time is required for ANY one (1) hour appointment. Cancellation, less than that time period, will result in a $150.00 charge.
A 72 BUSINESS HOURS NOTICE prior to appointment time is required for ANY two (2) hour appointment. Cancellation, less than that time period, will result in a $225.00 charge.
Yes. A separate fee is charged for a pre-treatment examination and consultation appointment. This appointment is necessary before any of these procedures are performed with the exception of fiberotomies. A fiberotomy and the pre-treatment exam and consultation can be provided at one appointment.
Financial Policies
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Care Credit, personal check or cash.
We will bill your insurance as a courtesy to you. Unless prior arrangements have been made, we do ask you to pay your “guesstimated” co-payment at the time of your treatment. If a pre-authorization was obtained prior to treatment, we will ask you for your “patient portion” as stated on the pre-authorization. Please remember that insurance is a benefit, not a guarantee of payment.
If you’d like to make payments, you may apply for a “Care Credit” card. This company will allow you to make interest-free payments for 3-6 months, depending on which program you choose. If you need more time to pay the remaining balance, an interest rate will apply. Please visit www.carecredit.com or call our office for more information.
