Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the implant placement painful?
A: No, it is usually done under local anesthesia in the office like a filling. Interestingly, implant placement is usually less difficult and less painful afterward than the extraction of the original tooth.  Further, if you have anxiety, we can provide the service using local anesthesia and oral conscious sedation so the implant procedure can be even more benign.

Q: How much pain will I feel after implant placement?
A: The discomfort you may feel should be minor. Most patients typically use only Ibuprofen or Tylenol for a day or two after the procedure. We do provide our patients with a perscription for stronger pain medications as a back up so they have it if they need it, but few tell us that it was necessary.

Q: How long does it take to place dental implants?
A: Usually 40-90 minutes, depending on the location and the number of implants.

Q: What can I eat after having an implant placed?
A: For a single implant or implants on only one side of your mouth, you can start the first day with a soft diet but resume your regular diet eating on the untreated side after that.  If you have implants placed on both sides of your mouth or multiple implants to retain dentures or full mouth restorations we advise a softer diet until the implants integrate into the bone.  Overall however we believe each case is different and we will customize the post op instructions to best fit the individuals situation.

Q: How long does placement, healing and construction of the replacement teeth take?
A:  Again every situation is different.  For a single tooth in healthy bone we can predictably provide the new implant supported tooth in less than three months from the day of implant placement.  In other cases where the bone available is less ideal or grafting (building up of the bone to better support the implant) needs to be done, the process will take longer.  In overdenture cases it can take 2-4 months from implant placement to attachment of your denture to the implants or we can use a combination of mini implants and conventional implants so your denture becomes implant retained the day of surgery.  As you are learning, every situation is different so that's why we provide free consultations so you can learn more about the choices available for your specific situation before you make a decision.

Q: How do I care for my implant?
A: Home care for your implants is a lot like caring for your teeth.  There are differences in the size of implants versus the size of your teeth so we will teach you some special techniques but overall, you just need to brush and floss and keep regular recall appointments with the office so we can monitor the implants just as we do your teeth.

Q: How long does an implant last?
A: If your body accepts the implant, it should last many years if cared for properly. Many implants have been in place for more than 40 years.

Q: If my body rejects an implant, what happens?
A: While this is rare as implants placed with the correct protocols have a success rates of over 97%...  implants that do fail usually fail because the bone around them looses contact with the implant due to too much force on the implant.  In those cases the loose implant is removed, the bone of the ridge is treated if needed and once the bone heals another implant can be placed if the patient desires.

Q: Are dental implants covered by insurance?
A: Like most elective procedures, dental implants are usually not covered by insurance plans. However, we have found some plans do cover certain treatments so we always submit a "pre-determination of benefits" treatment plan to your insurance carrier so you will know for sure.  If your desired treatment is not covered we have payment plan options like discounts for payment in advance or at time of service, credit cards, or we can get you in touch with Care Credit if a longer term payment plan is what you need.