Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants in Chandler
While dental implants once occupied a small space in the world of dentistry, the practice grows increasingly popular each year. If you're in a position where you're considering dental implants, it's likely that you have many questions about them. You're in the right place to have them answered, as our experienced dental team has completed many dental implants over the years. Lakeview Dental Care has served the community as one of the best dentist offices in Chandler, AZ for decades. In this time, our practice has built a great reputation in the community. Additionally, our dentists and staff have amassed experience in performing dental procedures and answering the questions of patients. Our Chandler dentist office combines the best in human expertise with cutting-edge digital technology.
What are the Most Modern Dental Implant Technologies?
Precise, 3D cone X-rays, mouth scanners, and restorative software make modern dental implants better than ever before. Cone X-ray scanners are potent diagnostic tools and can even guide surgery, making the process more precise than before. Additionally, digital scanners and restorative software allow dentists to skip the unpleasant process of traditional dental molding. When you get an implant with your Chandler dentist, you can count on the benefits of all of these digital technologies.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a replacement for a single tooth, although you can have more than one installed. It consists of three parts. The first is the post, a small, metal rod that always consists of an extremely reliable material such as titanium. This post secures the implant to your jaw bone. Second, a specially fabricated synthetic tooth tops the implant after a design process that makes it resemble your existing teeth. The final component is the abutment, which holds the implant together by securing the post to the crown.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants work by closely replicating the original form and function of the teeth that they replace. Your natural teeth have roots that secure them in place, and dental implants use a small, titanium rod to replicate this role. The crown of an implanted tooth closely resembles your original tooth and will stay in place permanently.
How Does a Dentist Install Implants?
When you get a traditional dental implant, a specially trained dentist will insert screw-like objects into your jawbone. The next step is the healing process, as you wait for the bone to heal and secure the screws. After this is over, the dentist attached an abutment and a permanent crown to the dental implant. Then the implant will effectively replace your old tooth. Modern implants, such as All on Four implants work a bit differently.
What Are All on Four Dental Implants?
All on Four dental implants are similar to traditional implants but aim to replace dentures instead of single teeth. As opposed to supporting one tooth with one metal post, this type of implant supports all the teeth on the lower or upper jaw. They do this by angling the rods to the thick, healthy bone at the front of the mouth. All on Four dental implants aren't applicable for someone who only needs one or two teeth replaced. However, they can be a wonderful solution for someone who uses or is considering using dentures.
How Reliable are Dental Implants?
While the reliability of dental implants varies, they're universally accepted as a highly reliable choice. Overall, dental implants have a reported success rate above 90% after ten years. However, when an individual has good health and takes care of their dental implants, their likely success rate can climb considerably higher. When someone takes good care of their dental implants, it's entirely possible that they can last for decades.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
The earliest dental implants proved perfectly safe many decades ago. However, dental implants are still a surgical procedure and there's always a possibility of complications. This is why you need to find a specialized implant dentist with a deep knowledge of the procedure to maximize the odds of a positive outcome. If any issues do arise, an experienced implant dentist will be more capable of resolving them. Prior to the procedure, you and your dentist should discuss common risk factors for complications. Chewing tobacco and smoking can degrade the health of your jawbone and gum tissue, which can increase the risks at play.
Why Do People Want Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer the convenience of realistically replicating your original teeth. Additionally, they provide an alternative to dentures that look and feel much more natural. For one thing, someone with dental implants won't have to deal with the assorted downsides of other options. When you get implants, there's none of the slipping or clicking that people associate with dentures. Additionally, dental implants help keep the jawbone healthy in a way that other replacements don't. This maintains your facial structure, avoiding the drooping jaw that some people eventually develop.
Can I Get Metal-Free Dental Implants?
It's impossible to get metal-free dental implants because the procedure requires a strong material to root the implants to the jaw. However, there's little to no reason for discomfort over this. Titanium is the primary metal that dentists use for implants, and allergies to titanium are almost nonexistent.
Do Dental Implants Have Disadvantages?
Dental implants have a handful of disadvantages that are inherent to any surgical procedure. There are always some risks of consequences such as infections and pain is to be expected. However, patients typically receive potent pain relievers and often go into work the day after their procedure. While people generally see the permanence of dental implants as an advantage, some may enjoy the removability of dentures. Additionally, dental implants may be more expensive than other alternatives and poor oral health may drive up the cost as well. If a patient has gum tissue or bones that aren't sufficiently healthy to support the implants, then preliminary procedures will become necessary to restore them. On the other hand, restoration is beneficial to your health in and of itself so the extra investment is a valuable one.
Can I Remove Dental Implants?
Dental implants use a metal rod to replicate the roots of a tooth, which secures them firmly to the jaw. There's no way to remove dental implants, as their artificial roots secure them directly to your bone. As a result, dental implants have much more in common with real teeth than with dentures.
Are Dental Implants the Best Choice?
Whether dental implants are the best choice for you depends on your own situation and preferences. If you prefer a procedure that replicates your original teeth as well as possible and you don't mind minor surgery, dental implants may be the best. If you're shy about major procedures or dislike commitments, then you may opt for something else.
Can Anyone Receive Dental Implants?
Anyone can talk to their dentist about installing dental implants, and it's rare that it's not a good choice. Those who most often see denial or delay when it comes to dental implants are children, as their face is still growing. This creates complications for installing dental implants that responsible dentists will usually avoid, although there are exceptions.In this case, it's still worth consulting an expert about the feasibility of dental implants. It simply means that the child will have to wait until their face completes development in the late teenage years. Besides children, there are no large demographics that are likely to find themselves unable to get dental implants.
Are Dental Implants Expensive?
The cost of a dental implant relies on many factors. Every dental implant is as unique as the host that it's tailored to, which creates a variable from the start. Additionally, some people will require extra appointments or different procedures for various reasons. It's impossible to predict the cost of dental implants without this information. Consulting a dental implant expert with your needs, medical history, and related considerations should resolve any questions.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Dental insurance doesn't always cover dental implants, and when it does, terms may vary. Before relying on your insurance to cover dental implants, you should talk to your insurance provider or review your plan. That way, you can begin planning for an implant procedure while knowing what you might need to pay out of pocket.
Do You Need a Specialist for Dental Implants?
The procedure for installing dental implants is complex, as are the implants themselves. Mistakes can easily cause implant failure, which is why you should seek out a trained professional. Implant dentists undergo rigorous training before they're qualified to perform the procedure.
Do I Have to Clean Dental Implants?
While dental implants may be able to last for decades, this rests on the assumption that you're taking good care of them. However, this is remarkably easy and isn't any different from cleaning your existing teeth. Your existing routine for oral care and hygiene will protect your dental implants without introducing any new practices. In addition to brushing and flossing, make sure to schedule regular cleanings and checkups as you should be doing already.