Vancouver WA, Dental Implants FAQ
Dentist in Vancouver WA
Q: What are dental implants?
A: Dental implants are tiny screws or fixtures that, once placed at the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth, act as a self-sustaining tooth root that supports an artificial tooth crown, bridge or denture. The purpose of the dental implants is so that the artificial tooth or teeth that are placed on it remain fixed, unremovable, and act as natural teeth. These dental implants are titanium-based for many reasons: it is exceptionally strong, non-corrodible, lightweight metal, and has a unique ability to for a strong biological bond with bone tissue, which then enables the implants to become non-removable and long-term replacements for missing teeth. The dental implants are surgically attached to the jawbone; these are not visible above the gum line. An abutment is then placed on the implant which does protrude from the gum line. Then an artificial tooth crown, bridge, or denture is custom-made from high quality and durable ceramic material, to fit onto the abutment and function as the patient’s own natural tooth or teeth.
Q: Is the dental implant surgery painful?
It is not painful. Some patients say they feel nothing, others might say they felt a little discomfort but no pain. Many of the patients are prescribed ibuprofen or similar medication just in case, but we’ve found that most patients don’t even take them because they don’t feel the need to. You are under conscious sedation during the surgery so that you can follow the dentist’s instructions, but once the surgery is done, you might not remember the surgery at all.
Q: How long is the dental implant surgery?
A: It depends on how many dental implants are being placed, if there are teeth to be extracted, and if there are any complications. If there are no teeth to be extracted, it would take about one to three hours. But to extract teeth, since the dentist needs to preserve the bone from the jaw, each extraction is done carefully to not break the bone. It could take about 45 min just to extract teeth in this careful manner.
Q: What can you eat after the dental implant surgery?
A: After the implant surgery, and the placement of the denture or crowns, you can have dinner. The rule of thumb is that you can eat anything that you could cut with a fork.
Q: How long do dental implants last?
A: Dental implants act as a root of a tooth. The dental implant fuses to the jawbone, and it could last a lifetime with proper care.
Q: Can my body reject a dental implant, and if so what then?
A: The dental implant surgery is has a success rate of 98%. It is rare for a dental implant to fail, but if it does, the dentist may allow the site of the implant heal and place a new implant in that place, which should then have the implant fused to the bone normally.
Q: Are dental implants expensive?
A: The expense of the dental implants is relative. Dental implants usually cost more than dentures, bridgework, or Snap-on dentures, but since it should last a lifetime, overtime, it would be the most cost-effective procedure.
Q: Are dental implants covered by insurance?
A: Because insurance places the dental implant procedure under the cosmetic category instead of becoming healthier, most do not cover them. What most insurance companies cover are the extractions of the teeth.
Q: What is the All-on-6 dental implant technique?
The All-on-6 dental implant procedure is the placement of six dental implants, for either the upper or lower jaw or both, that is typically done for patients who don’t have enough bone in some areas. When the seix implants are placed, a custom-made denture is then placed over the implants, and then secured in. This procedure is often used for its immediate use and function.
