Dental Implants FAQ

FAQ: Dental Implants

At the office of Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC, we are proud to offer the Phoenix, AZ area and it’s surrounding residents the best dental implant solutions in the region. As a family and cosmetic dental practice that’s been helping patients obtain their dream smiles for over ten years, we offer personalized treatment options for you and the entire family! One of the dental services we offer patients looking for restorative solutions are dental implants. Keep reading to read some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding dental implants, and how they may just be the restorative solution you’ve been looking for!

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are one of the best restorative options for replacing missing or worn teeth, with over a 90-95% success rate for the past three decades. Dental implants are a prosthesis used to provide a long-term solution for missing teeth. It is comprised of a small titanium post that’s inserted into the jawbone, where a crown, fixed bridge, or partial denture can be placed to restore the aesthetic and overall function of a patient’s smile.

What Are the Parts of a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is made up of three parts, the dental implant itself, the abutment, as well as the artificial tooth also known as a crown.

What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are typically categorized based on the way they are placed. There are four different ways in which this placement happens, as described below:

• Two-Stage Implants – A two-stage procedure involves one surgery to place the implant into the jaw bone, and then another surgery several months later to attach an abutment and temporary restoration.
• Endosteal Implants – Placed in the jaw bone, endosteal is the most commonly used type for two-stage implant procedures and is typically placed as an alternative to a bridge or removable denture.
• Single-Stage Dental Implants – A single-stage procedure involves surgically placing a longer implant into the jaw so it is on the jaw bone, leaving the implant healing cap visible. After several months of healing, the abutment and temporary restoration can be attached without the need for minor surgery.
• Subperiosteal Implants – Rarely ever utilized today, subperiosteal implants are placed on the jaw bone within the gum tissue, with the metal implant post exposed to hold a restoration in place.

How Many Teeth Can Be Replaced with Dental Implants?

With dental implants, you can have one single tooth replaced, multiple teeth replaced, or even all your teeth replaced!

Why is Replacing A Missing Tooth So Important?

Replacing a missing tooth is important for several reasons. And this is more than just a cosmetic issue! Missing teeth can affect your overall oral health, often causing receding gums as well as loss of bone in the jaw. Without a root present and a tooth to chew and stimulate the bone underneath, the jawbone will begin to slowly deteriorate. This can cause severe oral difficulties and can make the face appear sunken in.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

The benefits of dental implants include the following:

• Dental implants look and function like natural teeth
• Dental implants significantly prevent bone loss in the jaw
• Dental implants restore smiles so well, your confidence is sure to go up
• Dental implants don’t have to rely on surrounding teeth like dental bridges do
• Dental implants are easy to clean and take care of
• Dental implants, unlike other tooth replacement options, stay put while in the mouth and are not subject to sliding or clicking
• Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to livening up your smile

Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you practice good oral hygiene, have healthy gums, and have a strong jaw, you are likely a candidate for dental implants. With that being said, Dr. Cavendish will first perform an evaluation to ensure your mouth is in the right condition to be able to support dental implants.

Are Dental Implants a Long-Lasting Solution?

Unlike natural teeth, dental implants are not as susceptible to decay, however, it is still crucial to maintain proper oral hygiene to ensure the health of the surrounding gums is not affected. With proper care and regular dental visits, a dental implant can last well over a decade.

Does it Hurt to Get Dental Implants?

At the office of Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC, we are proud to offer sedation dentistry options, which work to significantly decrease and even eliminate any pain associated with getting dental implants. You may feel some pain in the area and experience slight bruising throughout the healing process, but this typically only lasts a short time.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Though much smaller and thinner than traditional implant types, mini dental implants perform the same functions. They can be used as a support system for a full denture or can simply be used to support a single replacement tooth.

What is The Difference Between Normal and Traditional Implants?

Both traditional implants and mini implants utilize the same basic structure, with root size being where the two differ. A regular implant uses a standard-sized root, whereas mini implants are much thinner, making them capable of catering to smaller teeth, or places where the jawbone is too weak or thin for a regular implant to be placed.

How Can Mini Dental Implants Help Denture Wearers?

Mini Dental Implants can help denture wearers by providing a fully reliable, tight-fitting, and comfortable system that keeps dentures firmly in place. Gone are the days of refraining from speaking and laughing in fear of your dentures slipping! Mini dental implants can give denture wearers the confidence they need.

What Are Partial Dental Implants?

Partial dental implants are used when some natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

What Is a Full Mouth Dental Implant Treatment?

A full-mouth dental implant treatment is the best method to replace all the teeth in one or both jaws. When getting this type of involved treatment done, you want to make sure that you consult with a board-certified dentist with ample experience in the area. A full-mouth dental implant treatment includes the following:

• A detailed diagnostic and planning stage that will take a few weeks to complete and involves X-rays, CT scans, virtual planning, mock-ups, a smile design, and more!
• The placement of six to eight dental implants in the upper jaw
• The placement of four to six dental implants in the lower jaw
• The fabrication of a fixed temporary bridge or bridges
• The fixed placement of natural-looking porcelain teeth through screws or dental cement

Why Are Dental Implants a Unique Restoration Option?

Dental implants are considered unique because they are the only restoration option available that preserves natural bone and works to help stimulate bone growth after losing a tooth.

Can My Body Reject Dental Implants?

Implants can’t exactly be “rejected” due to the fact that they contain no genetically coded material or living cells, and are made of titanium which is completely biocompatible. With that being said, dental implants can fail to integrate to the jawbone in cases where infection is allowed to develop due to a lack of oral hygiene.

Is Age a Factor in Receiving Dental Implants?

Nope! Dental implants are suitable for patients of any age if they have good oral hygiene, healthy gums, and sufficient bone in their jaw.

Are Dental Implants Common?

Yes! In fact, more than three million people in the United States have dental implants, a number that professionals say is growing by 500,000 each year.

Will My Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Since dental implants are often considered a cosmetic dentistry solution as opposed to a necessity, some insurance plans will cover some costs of dental implants, and some will not. At the office of Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC, we will go over the extent of your restorations prior to the procedure to ensure it is something you want to invest in. Here are some other scenarios to consider when it comes to inquiring about paying for your dental implants through insurance:

• You may want to contact your medical or dental insurance providers to gain a better understanding of what is covered through your plan.
• If your insurance does cover dental implants, don’t forget to review your plan’s annual limit since there may be additional out-of-pocket payments that will need to be made.
• Keep in mind that more and more insurance plans are starting to cover certain parts of the dental implant procedure since it is likely that medical issues could arise from tooth loss.

Contact Our Phoenix, AZ Dental Office Now!

If you have more questions about dental implants that were not addressed on this FAQ page, please do not hesitate to contact our office! As the Phoenix, AZ area’s premier choice for high-quality dental implant placements and unrivaled patient care, Dr. Cavendish and his seasoned team are ready to cater to your unique smile. Let us deliver the dental solutions you need and deserve, so you can get back to eating, laughing, talking, and smiling without worry. We look forward to assisting you!