Hey, I'm Dr. Perry from Farmington Family Dental. Thanks for joining us for these videos. We're going to be talking about implants and how they function in the mouth, and answering some of the more common questions that I see when patients come in and ask me about implants.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a piece of metal, or titanium is what they're made out of, that we put into the jaw, upper or lower, to support something that sits on top of it, whether it's a denture, a crown, or a bridge. All are possibilities for what we put on top of it. At the end of the day, the marking thing that shows this is an implant is it's engaged into the bone, it's locked in the bone, and it's not coming in and out or moving at all. It provides a solid platform for whatever we put on top of it.
What conditions would cause a dentist to recommend dental implants?
Typically, dental implants are recommended when you're missing teeth. For those of you out there that are missing a number of teeth, you've probably noticed when you chew on things you'll get things stuck or stabbed down into the gums when you're chewing, like Dorito chips is probably a really good example of that. If it goes on long enough, if you're missing enough teeth, there's just not enough teeth remaining for you to be able to chew what you want to chew. You'll go out to the restaurant, open up the menu, and say, "Well, okay, I want to eat this, but I'm not sure if I can," or you plain old don't go out to eat anymore because it's too embarrassing to be in that situation and not able to chew. Those are the spectrum of situations where we as dentists recommend putting an implant in to restore back what once was there.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants have a lot of advantages. One of the main ones is they don't require that we touch the teeth on either side. One of the main alternatives to a dental implant in a lot of cases is putting in what's called a bridge. The downsides of a bridge are we have to touch the two teeth side by side, and if they're perfectly good teeth, why are we doing that when there's an alternative option? Implants are a great alternative option that allows you to have the restoration placed on just one tooth without grinding away on the teeth next door if it's not needed.
What is the process I would go through if I decide to get dental implants?
Great question. The process you'd go through if you decided to do dental implants: the first step would be to come on into the office. Come, and I will do a free consult with you. We'll take an x-ray, see what your needs are, whether you qualify for an implant procedure, and how that would go down. I will talk about the timeline, how long it takes to do it, what all is involved as far as healing, any discomfort that may be involved. I will talk about that and I'll talk about the price, what's overall is the big picture of doing these. You'll leave knowing this is what's possible and ideally what you would like to do.
What is involved in the dental exam?
The dental exam for implants is very similar to a typical exam. We're going to take a big picture view x-ray that shows us where bone is, where teeth are, what kind of situation things are in, and we're going to do a look inside your mouth to see what is the situation of the existing teeth, if there are any, how many, and how are they doing. At the end of that, we'll have a very good, or in a lot of cases, a definitive view of what needs to be done.
Why is my medical history important?
Sometimes we ask about medical history and people ask why. Why are we doing all of this? Why are we asking about medications you're on? Why are we asking about any surgeries or cancer or other things like that? We're asking because at the end of the day, placing an implant requires two things to be successful. One of them is a good successful surgeon and surgery, which I can take care of on my own. The second part is the healing that happens inside your mouth. If there's anything that's compromising or interfering with that healing, sometimes that requires modifying a plan, going about it a different way, or slower, allowing more time to heal. Other times it requires taking control of the systemic, the body issues, that are there so that they're not a problem. Examples of that are diabetes that's out of control, blood pressure that's out of control, any autoimmune disorders that need to be modified for, and other such things. I can go into the specifics when you come in. Every person is treated individually when it comes to any dental treatment, but more especially surgeries like putting an implant in.
How will my dentist come up with a treatment plan that is right for me?
Treatment plans that are right for you, we develop those in a dialogue or in a conversation. That is what I found to be the best way because I see some things but I don't see everything. I don't see everything of what you want, what your desires are until you start telling me. So you'll find when you come in for that appointment and do that consult with me, it is a consultation in that it's two ways. You're going to hear me talking to you and asking questions and hearing those answers back, and I will modify my plan depending on what you tell me you want. When there's something that's close, well, you could go either way, I'm going to tell you about both because I want you to be informed either way.
What are the steps in the process of placing a dental implant?
The steps of placing an implant: the first step is the diagnosis, finding out what all needs to be done. We need to create a plan, talk about timeline, expenses, finances, all of that, make sure that's all squared away. After that, the first step is typically placing the implant or preparing the site. Sometimes that goes through anywhere from one to three or sometimes even four steps of different things that need to be done along the way, where we're getting you numb, or we're harvesting a graft, or putting tissue where it needs to be to give you the best end result with your implant.
When would bone grafting be required?
Bone grafting is required when there's not sufficient bone or the shape of the bone that's existing there would cause a compromise to the longevity or lifespan of an implant. I see that typically when we're taking a tooth out and we're immediately putting an implant in, bone graft is almost always a necessity there. If we are putting an implant in a site where it's been a while since a tooth has been in there, bone grafting is typically needed for something like that. But the steps that we go through, we consider first where the soft tissue is because oftentimes that needs augmentation or changing of its shape to give you the best aesthetic result and/or the best longevity possible. Then second is the bone grafting in the stage of things, and bone grafting is typically required when there isn't enough bone to support the implant, so from a functional perspective, or the bone isn't supporting the soft tissue around it, it's an aesthetic or a long-term longevity issue that we use bone grafting for.
When choosing new artificial teeth, what options will I have and what are the pros and cons of each?
When we choose our artificial teeth, I rely on the lab for that a lot to the extent that I have them look at the existing teeth and see what kind of tooth do we have. Are we roughly triangular-shaped, square-shaped, is this a very masculine-looking tooth, and we want to match as closely to that as we can? In fact, most of the programs that are used in the dental lab nowadays use some component of AI to detect those properties and kind of copy and paste, more or less, onto the existing tooth. If aesthetics is a high concern, like 10 out of 10, it's very, very important to you, bring that up in the consultation. I will talk with you about it, and I will typically ask if I think aesthetics are involved with what we're doing. Bring it up though, and we'll talk about how it can be done to make the best overall look possible for your tooth.
Sometimes people want to know what the pros and cons of taking something out versus just fixing up what's there. It really depends on the individual, the individual tooth, your end desires, what kind of longevity you expect, and a number of other factors like that. That is a conversation with you of what I would recommend. Typically, when I talk to people, I'm going to recommend what I would do as the first thing we talk about, and I'm going to compare some alternatives if they're close. If they're good alternatives, I'll compare them to what I would do so that you can get a feel for what is reasonable or what might fit best on your desires for the treatment that's rendered. At the end of the day, this isn't a one-sided thing. It's not me telling you what you must do. It's you telling me what you want to accomplish and me advising, "This is, I think, the best way to accomplish what you're looking for," or if there's compromises to what you're looking for, it's not attainable or realistic to do it, I will tell you that right up front and say, "Okay, this is what I think we can do, but it's different from what you told me right here in this one area." Like how maybe we want to fix something up at any cost. "Okay, let's fix it up, but I see a functional compromise in doing this. We're probably not going to get the longest lifespan, but it's still worthwhile as long as it's still worthwhile." Great, let's do it. Let's get you taken care of the way you want to be taken care of.
How long does it typically take to recover from dental implants?
The recovery from dental implants usually isn't too bad. Typically, when we take out a tooth and put an implant in that day, the recovery is a couple of days, probably about 3 days or so, with some soreness. Ibuprofen and Tylenol are go-tos for that. Sometimes we'll use some stronger things if there's other things going on, but typically putting the implant in really doesn't hurt much either immediately after or in the long run on things, unless there's a graft issue or there's a failure of some type in and around the implant. So usually the recovery is fairly similar to a tooth coming out. If we're not also taking the tooth out that day, the recovery is great. I rarely see any soreness with that, and the success rate is higher when we're not taking the tooth out that day and placing the implant that day as well.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants as we know them have been around now for about 30 years. The type of implant that we use nowadays more than any other type is what's called an endosteal implant. That means the implant is placed with bone all the way around it. The longevity of this type of implant, because it's only been around—I know they said only 30 years, but that's relatively new as far as the dental profession goes—we have seen routinely around 15 years. There are two caveats to that. If there's a compromise to the situation, we don't do some soft tissue grafting where we needed it, or you have uncontrolled diabetes or smoking are probably the two systemic issues that influence that the most. You can see a decrease in the longevity by up to about half in a lot of cases, so you can get about half that lifespan if those things are going on.
Can dental implants get cavities?
Dental implants do not get cavities. It's not possible. There's nothing in and around them that can decay. The problems that dental implants have are periodontal in nature. So if you've ever heard about somebody getting like "long in the tooth," or they needed a deep cleaning, or they had advanced gingivitis, or different colloquial terms I'll hear for it, those affect the bone around the implant, which in turn will affect the implant, but you will not see decay around a dental implant.
Do most insurance plans cover the cost of dental implants?
Cost on this, let's get into the weeds on insurance, what they do or do not do. This gets into the weeds a little bit. Dental insurances have found that if they exclude certain procedures from their coverages, that they'll pay less and they can charge less in premium, and for them, it ends up being a game of how little can we charge our subscriber while still delivering what they think is dental insurance. Typically, what I see, most dental insurances don't participate in a significant manner with actual procedure codes that are involved with placing an implant and placing bone graft. Typically, I see them involved with extracting the tooth and sometimes even putting the crown on top of the implant or putting the denture on top of the implant, whatever we decide as a final restoration we're putting on top of it. But that really depends on the insurance type that you have. I would say most do not, but in questions on this, it really deserves looking at the insurance individually and seeing what your policy prescribes.
What are the cost and financing options involved with dental implants?
Okay, so costs, financing options, how do you pay for what is involved with an implant? The average dental implant that I see sits anywhere from about $4,500 to about $8,500, depending on whether a tooth is coming out at the same time, whether we need soft tissue grafting, whether we need bone grafting, what all is required to develop the site into an ideal situation to keep that implant in there long term. All of those things are really individual. Now, when I'm talking about money, like $4,500, $8,500, obviously that's no small amount of money. Typically, what I see people do is either they'll pay cash, card, check, and sometimes finance. Now, financing to some extent does require a credit score. If your credit score is above about 600 or so, is where I tend to start seeing success as far as financing goes for that. All of that said, financing tends to be one of the more popular options that I see for paying for a treatment like this.
How can I schedule an appointment to talk to a dentist about dental implants?
How can you get a hold of us? Give us a call. When you talk to the gals, they'll get you scheduled for your consult appointment. Our phone number is (573) 637-4404. I'm excited to see you. I'm excited to see what you need and what we can do to help you along your way.
I hope we've been able to answer some of your questions about dental implants today. If you have any others or you want to talk specifically about what's going on in your mouth, give us a call at (573) 637-4404.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are used to replace missing teeth. The posts are surgically implanted into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Once in place, the posts form a secure base for the replacement teeth. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or an entire upper or lower arch of teeth.
Advantages of dental implants
- Dental implants are permanently in place, unlike bridges and dentures, which can be susceptible to shifting and falling out.
- Dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to chew, smile, and talk without feeling self-conscious.
- Implants are more comfortable and affordable than bridges and dentures.
- They last for many years without any hassle, provided you care for them well.
- Since implants are placed directly in the jawbone, they hold the jawbone intact and prevent deterioration.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
You’re a candidate for dental implants if you have missing or damaged teeth. Implants can be used to replace one tooth or multiple teeth or to support full dentures and bridges. Dental implants are the strongest, most durable tooth replacement option available. They look and function like natural teeth, and they provide stimulation to the jawbone to help prevent bone deterioration. One important factor necessary before getting dental implants is optimum jawbone volume, as it helps to hold the implant stud firm and prevents it from getting dislodged. Also, patients need to be in a good state of overall health and oral health.
What happens during the dental implant procedure?
First, your dentist will numb the area where the dental implant will be placed. Your dentist will make sure the gums are healthy before proceeding. If your jawbone is weak or unhealthy, your dentist may recommend bone grafting beforehand. During the procedure, your dentist will need to make a small incision in the gums. Then, they will carefully place the implant in the jawbone. If necessary, your dentist will also place a few stitches, which will be removed in the following days. The healing time typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, you’ll work with a dental professional to ensure that your implant is completely healed.
Once your implant is completely healed, the dentist will attach a crown or bridge to the abutment. It’s important to continue brushing and flossing your replacement teeth daily. Regular checkups are also necessary to ensure that your implant is functioning properly. Contact your dental professional immediately if you experience any signs of infection or implant failure.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
The short answer is no. Setting aside the common misconception that any dental procedure is painful, dental implant surgery itself is actually a quick, simple procedure. During the surgery, the oral surgeon will surgically place the implant into the bone of the jaw, then cover it with a protective cap while it heals. Most patients report only mild discomfort in the days following their surgery, and over-the-counter pain relievers are enough to ease any pain.
To find out more about the dental services offered at Farmington Family Dental, call (573) 637-4404 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 807 E Karsch Blvd, Farmington, MO 63640.