Thursday, 10 November 2011

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

By Richard Greene


I have been told that because of the fact that I do not have enough bone I am therefore not a good candidate for dental implants. Is that true?

The majority of the time it is just not true. Basically almost anyone can be a great dental implant candidate. If the person does not have sufficient bone for a direct implant, most of the time bone grafting can make it possible. A dentist with a CT scanner machine can look and see how much bone exists.

I was told I needed bone grafting for a dental implant. What does that mean exactly?

Using bone grafting means placing a biologic material into the region where bone is deficient to stabilize the dental implant from enhanced bone growth. There are multiple biologic options to mix into bone grafting. This can include hydroxyapatite, cadaver bone, or synthetic collagen material mixed in with other grafting materials.

Will I need general anesthesia for my dental implant procedure?

The answer is it is not an absolute necessity but a lot of patients appreciate being out for their procedure. If there implants are being placed on both sides of the mouth, for instance, sedation dentistry will allow the dentist to do just that. Otherwise, working on both sides of the mouth under local anesthesia can lead to a situation where the patient bites his or her tongue. Additionally, a significant amount of patients, while over 50%, maintain anxiety about having dental procedures performed. Sedation dentistry can therefore help substantially with this.

How soon after the procedure can I go back to work?

Mostly, individuals can go back to work the following day after the implant. If sedation is included, one may need to rest in order to clear the mind - in that case it's better to go back to work the following day.

What's the time it takes to put in a dental implant?

Typically an implant can be put in within 10 minutes. This depends on whether or not the implant is a temporary or final placement. In more modern dental clinics, implants are made on the spot at the office. Regardless of where it is made, after the sedation is performed the implant itself takes 10 minutes.

Can I resume a normal diet after surgery?

The answer is that individuals are usually able to restore a normal diet within a day after the procedure. However, not all dentists use cutting edge techniques, so make sure to check with your individual dentist about it.

Can I have the final implant right away, or do I need a temporary implant?

Dental implants often times can now be made right away in the dentist clinic. This depends on whether not the dentist maintains the CAD/CAM technology that exists to make these implants. For instance, the CEREC allows for crowns to be fabricated in the dentist clinic then milled, glazed, and implanted. This is very convenient for those who did not want to miss more time off from work.




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