Are you one of millions of Americans facing tooth loss? Many people today lose a tooth (or teeth) to decay, accident, or injury. Many more are lost due to periodontal disease (gum disease), which affects nearly 50% of Americans over age 30 and nearly 70% of those over age 65. Dental implants can offer a long-lasting, comfortable, realistic-appearing tooth substitute for one or more natural teeth. Here are some important points to consider when weighing whether dental implants are a solution of choice for you. 

What Are The Advantages Of A Dental Implant? 

1. There’s no further damage caused to remaining teeth. Bridges and partial dentures both work by using remaining natural teeth as anchor points. Over time, this perpetual stress weakens the anchor teeth, which can lead painfully to further tooth loss and replacement. 
2. Dental implants are in place for good, permanently. Partial or full dentures must be removed and cleaned daily with a special solution. Poorly-fitted dentures can slip, making eating and talking awkward and embarrassing. Dental implants, with proper care, can be expected to last 20 years, comfortably, non-slip! 
3. Dental implants help fight bone loss. When you lose teeth, loss of bone in the jaw follows not long behind. Dental implants bond with the jawbone, helping to preserve and prolong its integrity, which in turn helps your jawbone maintain the natural contour of your face. Neither bridges nor dentures combat bone loss in the jaw, essentially allowing your face to inevitably develop that “caved-in” look. 
4. Dental implants provide a realistic-looking replacement for missing or severely damaged teeth, allowing you to recover your ability to move confidently through life with a beautiful, natural smile. 

 Dental implants are not automatically the best choice for everyone. Some patients, for example, may need bone grafting to make dental implants an option. Other patients, especially those needing replacement of entire arches of teeth, may be put off by cost, although technology is making dental implants more affordable every day. 

 Your dentist or endodontist can help you determine whether dental implants might be right for you. If you have severely damaged or missing teeth, “Call us now,” encourages Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Make it a holiday gift to yourself to come in and see how we can help restore your smile with dental implants!” 

Nothing can replace an in-depth conversation with your dental provider if you want to clearly understand your oral health. At no time is this more true than when you’ve been told you have failing natural teeth and might want to consider dental implants.

We’ve compiled a list of questions that will help guide your conversation with your dentist and help you understand the why, how, and what of dental implant procedures.

Top Dental Implant Questions 

1. Does this mean my natural tooth (teeth) can’t be saved? Yes. Otherwise, you’d probably be talking with your endodontist about a root canal or other procedure aimed at saving the tooth.  
2. How many teeth will be replaced by the implants? Dentists can replace a single tooth, a number of teeth, or an entire set of teeth with dental implants. 
3. How much is this going to hurt? The implant procedure itself is usually pain-free, thanks to general or local anesthesia. Factors that can influence how much pain you feel afterwards include: having teeth extracted prior to your implant procedure; how closely you follow post-operative instructions on taking painkillers and antibiotics; how well you avoid foods that might aggravate the treated area; and if you follow good oral hygiene while the affected area is healing. 
4. How many visits to my dentist will this take? Typically, you can count on at least two visits to complete the dental implant procedure. The first visit is to remove any failing natural teeth and embed the implant in your jaw. A second visit is necessary to add a dental restoration (which resembles a crown and functions like your natural tooth) or to replace a temporary restoration, if you received a same-day implant (see below). You may also need a separate appointment to have a bone augmentation procedure in order to increase the chances of your dental implant being successful in the long term.  
5. How soon can I eat with my new teeth? All dental implants require a healing period, during which the metal implant integrates into the jaw. Some patients must eat with their remaining natural teeth, if they have any. Other patients are candidates for what is known as same-day implants or “teeth in a day,” a procedure in which the dental implants are placed in the jaw and a set of temporary overdentures are placed on top of them on the same day. In either case, during this time you’ll need to eat soft, non-irritating foods to ensure the implants integrate successfully. 
6. What care do my dental implants require?  There are two key steps to promote long life for your implants. First, daily care is a must. Brush all your teeth twice a day and floss them daily. Second, get regular dental check-ups. Check-ups are especially critical for patients with implants.

“Dental implants are an excellent choice for many patients, but we find the most success when patients understand why they are receiving implants and what it takes to care for them,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

Dental implants can change your life dramatically. If you were missing teeth before, you now will be able to chew, speak, and smile with a new sense of confidence. However, while dental implants can be successful up to 98 percent of the time, success depends on taking care of your implants. Dental implant care isn’t complicated, but it does help to know how best to protect your implants. Here’s a brief overview of practices to keep your dental implants working for a lifetime.

A Basic Guide To Dental Implant Care

1. Start off right by following post-operative instructions. Regardless of whether you receive a single implanted tooth or an entire arch, it is important after the procedure to rest, take antibiotics if prescribed, avoid acidic or hard-to-chew foods for a few days, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your new implants.
2. Brush your dental implant twice a day with low-abrasive toothpaste. If you already brush twice a day, great! It is important to use toothpaste that is NOT designed to “scour” your teeth, though, because it will damage the surface of the implant. Your implanted teeth can also become discolored by highly abrasive toothpastes.
3. Floss your implanted teeth at least once a day – but use the right tools. It’s especially important to clean the spaces between your teeth if some or all of them are dental implants. The dental floss you use should not shred or leave particles behind when you’re done; this can contribute to the development of peri-implantitis. Soft picks and interdental brushes can be good choices, as can water flossing.
4. Ask about using a mouth guard if you grind your teeth. A properly fitted mouthguard can protect against bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding). The guard can protect your dental implant from pressure that can cause damage to the implant itself or create spaces between your teeth that can trap food and other debris.
5. Continue to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Just as when you had a full set of natural teeth, it is important to receive preventive care from your dentist. This is true no matter how many of your teeth are implants. At office visits, your provider can ensure your implants are functioning properly, check the health of your gums, and advise if any part of your dental implant needs replacement.

“Receiving a dental implant is just the beginning of a transformational process for patients who have been living with damaged or missing natural teeth,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “You can keep the transformation moving forward by taking good care of your implants. Our practice can advise patients concerning all aspects of implant care.”

When a natural tooth cannot be saved, one effective option is to have it replaced with a dental implant. Whether installed as an individual implant, though, or as part of an entire arch of replacement teeth, implants have a significant cost associated with them. Many dental insurance plans do not cover implant costs, although many dentists have financing options available. It’s important to weigh the benefits dental implants offer, to assess whether they are the right investment for you.

Reasons Dental Implants Are Worth It 

1. Dental implants have high success and satisfaction rates. Studies have found the success rate for dental implants ranges anywhere from 95 percent to 99 percent and that more than 90 percent of patients are happy with the procedure.  
2. Dental implants allow you to speak and eat normally. If you have lost most or all of your upper or lower arch of teeth, dental implants provide an alternative to dentures. You may feel more comfortable speaking and have an easier time chewing your food because the implants stay fixed in place, like your natural teeth.  
3. Dental implants can prevent bone loss in your jaw. One of the impacts of losing multiple natural teeth is that your jaw can lose bone density, resulting in “facial sag” in the lower third of the face and causing additional oral health challenges. Some clients need a bone graft to ensure their jaw is strong enough to accept the implant. The implant process requires that the implant integrate into the jawbone, providing needed stimulation and halting the process of bone density loss in many cases.  
4. Dental implants do not require extra care to maintain. Implants are designed to be durable and last a lifetime. You care for them the same way you care for your natural teeth – by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist on a regular basis.  

“Dental implants are a cost-effective solution for patients in a number of tooth-loss situations, and it is almost always a permanent solution,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, a practitioner at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our practice performs a thorough pre-procedure examination and we are happy to discuss the specific benefits you may expect from choosing an implant.” 

Dental patients have a number of choices when one or more natural teeth cannot be saved, but not all choices are created equal. More and more, adults are choosing dental implants because implants offer advantages not found with other options. Dental implants are one of the most permanent and durable solutions to tooth loss, if the process begins with careful analysis and preparation by your dental team to ensure success.

Let’s take a look at why dental patients are increasingly choosing implants as their restoration of choice.

Top Reasons Patients Choose Dental Implants

Dental implants have a very high success rate. A study of the effectiveness of dental implants found that over the course of many years, implants maintain a success rate of between 95 and 99 percent.

Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch of teeth. Dental implants are flexible in terms of how many teeth they replace. Given the negative health consequences to losing ANY teeth, the ability to replace them is important.

Dental implants do not require the alteration of healthy natural teeth. Dental bridges are often considered as an option for a person who has lost several teeth. However, a major downside is the necessity of grinding down part of the natural tooth on each side of the bridge. This can weaken tooth structure and lead to decay or additional tooth loss. Dental implants require no such destructive alteration.

Dental implants stop bone loss in the jaw and preserve natural facial contours. Implants are the only tooth replacement option that can stop the bone loss accompanying loss of multiple teeth. Consequently, they also help prevent the “facial sag” that is a long-term consequence of tooth loss.

Dental implants can be more comfortable than other options. Implants use biocompatible titanium fused into your jaw to provide a stable platform for a crown that takes the place of the natural tooth. Implants then function like natural teeth. Dentures, even well-made sets, can come with irritation, soreness, and other challenges.

“Dental implants can be a life-altering option when dealing with tooth loss,” says Dr. Jaqueline S. Allen, who practices at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our practice is skilled and experienced at determining whether you are a good candidate for this type of restoration.”

 

Replacing a tooth – or all of them, if necessary – with a dental implant is a major health decision. It is important to understand what a dental implant can do for you, how the procedure will work, and postoperative care. Here are five questions you will find helpful to know the answers to before beginning your dental implant procedure.

5 Questions To Ask Before Choosing A Dental Implant

1. Why does it matter if I replace a failing/missing tooth? Although a tooth extraction may seem less expensive, there are a host of oral health issues that can be prevented by getting an implant. Dental implants can prevent shifting of your remaining natural teeth, make it less likely you’ll suffer gum disease or tooth decay, and can prevent the “facial collapse” that often happens with the loss of one or both arches of your teeth.

2. Why is an implant favored over a root canal? It’s good to know why your dentist does not recommend trying to save your natural tooth. Perhaps the structure of your tooth has deteriorated to the point it simply won’t support a root canal and a crown. Or perhaps there is a crack, especially one extending down below the gumline, that would make a root canal impossible. Your dentist should be able to explain why they are recommending a dental implant over a root canal and what clinical conditions make you a better candidate for the implant.

3. How long will the entire implant process take? The answer to this question will be highly individualized, depending on how many natural teeth will be replaced, if you have bone density challenges in your jaw that need to be addressed, if your dentist recommends using All-On-4 overdentures for a full arch of dental implants, and other factors. Your dentist should be able to provide a clear, easy-to-understand treatment timeline for you.

4. Will my implant be successful over the long term? Overall, dental implants have a high success rate – usually about 95 percent. They are designed to last a lifetime. What you really want to find out from your dentist by asking this question is how likely it is that a dental implant will be a permanent solution to your oral health challenges.

5. What do I need to know about managing pain after the dental implant? Your dentist should provide you a complete postoperative pain guide, that will cover how to manage discomfort (which is normal during the first few days after the procedure) and what types of pain you should call your dentist about. In general, nearly all swelling, tenderness or discomfort should be gone within seven to 10 days of your procedure.

“At Phoenix Endodontic Group, we want to ensure our patients understand why we recommend a dental implant over another procedure,” says Dr. Jaqueline S. Allen. “Answering patient questions is part of how we partner together to ensure the experience is comfortable and successful.”

When considering dental implants, you can expect your endodontist to allow three to six months for healing, after placing the implant and before placing a permanent restoration on top of the tooth. The implant and its crown will take the place of your natural tooth. There are several factors influencing how quickly a dental implant will heal, and their interplay determines how quickly you can expect the process to be finished.

What Influences The Dental Implant Healing Process?

1. Bone loss in the area of the jaw receiving the implant. If the dental implant is replacing a missing tooth, or if the natural tooth being extracted was damaged, the bone density at the implant site may not be sufficient to allow the metal implant post and the jawbone to grow together. A bone graft may be required to prepare the site before the implant can be placed. In this case, the implant may require up to six months of healing before a permanent restoration can be placed on top of it.

2. Location of the natural tooth being replaced by the dental implant. A dental implant intended to replace a front tooth with its small roots will generally take less time to heal than back teeth or teeth with longer roots.

3. The presence of gum disease or infection in the natural tooth to be replaced. Active infection in a tooth or gum disease near the implant site will require a longer healing period because the infection or disease must first be controlled and healed.

Often, a temporary restoration such as a crown can be placed on a dental implant while it is healing. This is an option when it will not endanger the integration process, which will be evaluated by your endodontist.

“Two of the most important phases of the dental implant process are the diagnostic and planning stages,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Careful examination of the current state of a patient’s teeth and gums can help us provide a more accurate healing timeline.”