What are dental implants?
Dental implants are substitute tooth roots that allow replacement of the entire missing tooth. Made of Titanium or Titanium alloys, they are shaped in the form of natural tooth roots and are placed directly into the jaw bone under the gum.


A dental implant
click photo to enlarge

How do they work?
The body readily accepts titanium. Once placed in the jaw, the bone actually attaches itself to the implant. This process is known as “osseointegration”. These integrated implants then provide stable anchors for artificial teeth.

Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
The latest technology makes it possible for nearly everyone who is missing teeth to qualify as a candidate for dental implants. The determining factors are good oral hygiene, sufficient bone quantity and quality, as well as overall good health. As a general rule, age is not a barrier to implant treatment. Disease or conditions that interfere with proper healing after implant surgery such as uncontrolled diabetes or radiation/chemotherapy for treating cancer may contraindicate implant therapy. Dental implants have a 10% higher chance of failure in smokers.

What are the risk factors?
Accepted by the American Dental Association, dental implants have been used for many years. In fact, hundreds of thousands have been placed and are now the standard of care. However, with any dental procedure there are risks involved. Some of the risks include failure for the implant to osseointegrate, fracture of the implant or its prosthetic components (especially in people who clench or grind their teeth). General risk factor from the placement procedure are bleeding, delayed healing, nerve damage or adverse reaction to the anesthetic agent used.

Will I be placed under general anesthetic for the procedure?
This is actually quite rare. Most people have the procedure done under local anesthesia (injection in the mouth). Mild oral/intravenous sedatives are also used.

What are the consequences of not replacing missing teeth?
The most damaging consequence from loss of teeth is the resultant loss of the facial bone structure. It is estimated that following a tooth extraction, the underlying bone shrinks at a rate of 40-60% in 2-3 years. If a tooth is lost but not replaced, the adjacent teeth will drift into the gap created and become maligned. The opposing teeth may also drift down causing food trap, periodontal problems and decay. Replacements with dental implants help to maintain the bone and prevent collapse of neighboring teeth.

What does the procedure involve?
After numbing the area of the mouth where implant is to be placed, an incision is made to open the gum overlying the bone. The bone is then prepared to the shape of the implant it is to receive, through a series of precision instruments. The implant is then inserted into place and the gum sutured around (or over) it. Temporary replacement teeth are used so that you are never without teeth (optional for back teeth).


Radiograph of implants in the lower jaw
click photo to enlarge

How long does the treatment take?
As a general guideline 3 months for implants in the lower jaw, and 4-6 months time in the upper jaw are required for the process of healing/osseointegration. After this period we will commence fabricating your prosthesis which may take an additional three to eight weeks depending on its complexity. In certain cases implants can be restores as early as six weeks after placement. I generally do not advocate "immediate loading" ie implant placement and tooth replacement on the same day.

How successful are dental implants?
With careful planning prior to placement of implants and proper regular maintenance by you, you can expect many years of use from your implants. Current literature reports that more than 90% of implants have been successfully retained for 15-20 years. The prostheses retained by dental implants involve sophisticated hardware, hence require regular checks.

Are there any guarantees?
There is no guarantee of 100% success with dental implants.

How much do implants cost?
There are two separate fees involved with implant treatment. Initial cost is that of the surgical placement, followed 3-6 months later, by the fee for the prosthesis/artificial tooth. Once a thorough diagnostic procedure has been completed and a decision made on the number of implants and the type of prosthesis to be used, a detailed estimate of the costs can be made. The cost of a dental implant ranges from $1500 to $2000.

Does my insurance cover dental implants?
If you have insurance, make sure you read your policy or check with your insurance representative to determine if your plan will cover dental implant procedure before you begin treatment. Fees are your responsibility, regardless of how much your insurance will cover. We will be happy to help you with any questions about fees and payment options.

Where do I start and what is the first procedure involved?
A complete oral evaluation, taking into account the status of the remaining teeth in your mouth, as well as a radiographic analysis of the underlying bone is necessary. Articulated study models of your jaws to evaluate your occlusion (bite) and the space available for implants are also required. Additional diagnostic procedures may become necessary in complex cases. This will determine your prosthetic/restorative options and the number of implants needed, which will then be presented to you. Once you have made a decision we will commence treatment.

A Bridge or a Dental Implant?
One of the most frequently asked questions is that should one use a bridge or a dental implant to replace one or two missing teeth. If a bridge were to be used, the adjacent teeth would need to be ground down in order to fit a three or four unit bridge over those teeth. The missing tooth would be called a pontic (see Terminology). If an implant with a crown on it were to be used, the implant would be placed in the original site of the lost tooth. This would prevent grinding/preparing the adjacent teeth.

The cost of each one of these procedures varies from office to office, but a three unit bridge costs about the same as an implant and a crown. The actual decision to do one over the other depends on many factors such as available bone/soft tissue, aesthetics & condition of adjacent teeth, to name but a few.

All things being equal, if it were my mouth I would prefer the implant over the bridge.

If after reading this information, you feel that you may be a candidate for dental implants and that such services may be beneficial to you and your health, please contact us for a consultation so we may find a solution to your needs. Contact Us.