For many people in Marietta and across the country, tooth loss is an unfortunate consequence of severe tooth decay, gum disease and physical injuries. But thankfully, with the benefits of dental implants, patients can maintain an attractive smile. We find that many people are unaware of their dental treatment options, or simply don’t schedule regular consultations. And unfortunately, this lack of treatment can often lead to oral health and self-esteem issues.
7 Dental Implant Questions You Need to Know
Are you self-conscious about your smile? When talking to people or posing for a picture, do you try to “hide your teeth” and do the all gums smile? We get it. When you don’t feel confident about your smile, it can really eat away at your self-esteem, and no one wants that.
For many patients who have lost the beauty of their natural teeth over the years, it can be a truly jarring, humbling experience. At Shining Smiles Family Dentistry in Marietta, we want to let you know that just because your smile isn’t what you want it to be now, doesn’t mean you can’t restore both the aesthetics and functionality of your teeth! Below, we’re going to discuss some of the most common questions we get regarding dental implants, because we want to equip you with the information you need to make the best choice regarding your dental health.
1. What Are Some Signs I May Need Dental Implants?
At Shining Smiles, Dr. Mohip-Chahwala and our entire team always do a thorough exam and evaluation to ensure you’re a good candidate for dental implants. After all, we want to match every patient with the procedure that we feel is right for them (and that you’re comfortable with, of course). You may be researching a lot of different options on how you can restore your teeth as well as your smile, and maybe you’ve already read through a lot of information on dental implants. Based on our experience and what we see in our office day in and day out, here are a few signs that could mean you would benefit from dental implants:
- You’ve already had a lot of dental work done (cavity fillings, crowns, etc.), but it’s been a long time and that work seems to be failing at this point.
- You’re missing several teeth, and as a result, you no longer have the ability to chew certain foods or smile like you want to.
- You have several teeth that are beyond being saved, and thus need to be extracted and replaced with a better, permanent solution.
- Your missing or damaged teeth are starting to have an effect on your face. You may notice that your face has a sunken look because you do not have teeth to support it.
There are much more, but those are just a few of the ones we see when talking with potential implant patients.
2. Are They an Effective Solution For Missing or Damaged Teeth?
While there are other solutions out there, dental implants are universally considered to be one of the top treatments available for replacing missing or damaged teeth and restoring your smile. As we mentioned earlier, one of the factors that influence the success or failure of dental implants is ensuring you are in fact a good candidate and proper planning. In some cases, patients don’t have enough jaw bone for an implant to fuse with (a process called osseointegration), and as a result, a bone graft may be required.
This is why you want to schedule a consultation with an experienced implant provider like Dr. Mohip-Chahwala. She will discuss all these issues with you. Also, if you want to read more specifics about dental implants, please take a look here.
3. How Long Do Dental Implants Typically Last?
Dental implants themselves (which is the titanium screw that serves as an artificial anchor for your new crown, bridge, or denture restoration) will typically last a lifetime. However, the real question you’re probably wanting to know is “how long will this entire restoration last?”
Obviously, your natural teeth didn’t last a lifetime, so it’s possible that your restoration won’t either. Dental crowns typically last 10-15 years (depending on how well they are cared for), and are the most likely component of an implant to need replacing years down the road. That being said, replacing the cosmetic portion of your restoration with new crowns will not be nearly as involved as the original placement of your dental implants.
4. What Does The Process of Getting Implants Involve?
This is something that Dr. Mohip-Chahwala can explain to you in detail at your consult, but here is a high-level overview:
- You decide you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, and schedule a consult
- You discuss your options with Dr. Mohip-Chahwala and decide whether or not you are a candidate for implants (note: you certainly don’t have to decide immediately of course, but you’ll have the information you need at this point to make an educated decision).
- If you decide to move forward, an appointment will be scheduled for any needed extractions, and your implant(s) will be placed.
- The healing process begins. The healing process for a dental implant is not immediate, but any pain will typically resolve within a few days.
- After healing (with can take a few months) your abutment and crowns, bridge, etc. are placed to finish your restoration. You’ll walk out feeling great with the ability to eat anything you want and smile big!
If you have any questions about any particular portion of the process, Dr. Mohip-Chahwala will be happy to answer!
5. Do They Hurt? Is The Placing of Dental Implants Painful?
We’re not going to stand here and tell you that you will not have any soreness or discomfort, but when most people ask this question, they are referring to the actual process of getting dental implants. The procedure itself is usually not overly painful due to sedation dentistry practices. However, there is likely to be some aggravation over the next few days following treatment. Pain levels will vary, as each procedure involves various levels of soft tissue manipulation, and in some cases may require a bone graft. Yet any pain or irritation will subside fairly quickly, and the dental implant offers excellent support for a dental crown, bridge or alternative treatment.
6. Which Cosmetic Restorations Are Typically Used Alongside Dental Implants?
The dental implant itself is just the titanium screw that secures to your jawbone to mimic your natural tooth root. So, a question we get asked frequently is what cosmetic restoration will be used to “cap off” my full dental implant procedure? At Shining Smiles, we’ve had great results using crowns and bridges, which are artificial teeth that are carefully crafted in a dental lab to mimic the look of natural teeth. In fact, most people cannot tell a difference due to advancements in crown and bridge technology over the past 20 years.
Among the additional benefits of dental crowns and bridges is the protective support that should prevent tooth loss in the surrounding teeth. Patients receive a natural-looking artificial tooth that combines durability with great aesthetics.
7. Aren’t Dental Implants Expensive? How Can I Pay For Them?
It’s no secret that dental implants aren’t cheap, and they can easily cost several thousand dollars. While you may be thinking “I can’t afford that right now,” we offer financing options that help make your dental care affordable with low monthly payments.
After all, you probably didn’t pay cash for your last vehicle; you likely financed it. We’ve partnered with CareCredit, a healthcare financing company that can help you get the dental care you need, without having to come out of pocket several thousand dollars. You get the dental care you need, are able to set up low monthly payments, and CareCredit pays our practice for the services we have provided you; everyone wins!
Contact Us for Dental Implants and Restorative Treatments in Marietta
Shining Smiles Family Dentistry provides high-quality family, restorative and cosmetic dental treatments. If you need help with dental implants and other solutions, speak to our Marietta office today. To reach us, call (770) 420-8550 or request a dental appointment now.
