Am I a candidate for dental implants?
If you are healthy enough for a minor dental procedure such as tooth extraction, odds are you are a good candidate for dental implants. If we discover that you have some bone loss in your jaw, additional work may be required for your implants to have a stable foundation. In this case, you may have a bone grafting procedure before receiving dental implants. See our page on Bone Grafting for more information on this helpful treatment.
If you are interested in learning more about how dental implants may be the best tooth replacement solution for you, please give us a call to schedule a consultation with the oral surgeons at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa.
How do I care for my dental implants?
After sufficient healing, you can brush and floss your dental implants just like you would your natural teeth. If you see your dentist regularly and take great care of your oral health, your implants should last a very long time.
How long will my implants last?
Implants usually last a long time — possibly even for a lifetime with proper care. When patients are missing all of their teeth, long-term studies (more than 30 years) show an 80 to 90 percent success rate. For patients missing one or several teeth, recent studies show a success rate of greater than 95 percent, which compares favorably with other areas in the body that receive a replacement (such as hips and knees). However, if one of your dental implants either doesn’t heal properly or loosens after a period of time, you may need to have it removed. After the site heals (or on occasion at the time of removal), another implant can often be placed.
How long is the recovery period after dental implants?
Recovery time depends on a few factors: your age, the condition of the bone in your jaw, your overall health, and more. A full recovery from dental implant surgery may take between three and six months because ample time must be given for the implant to fuse with the bone in your jaw. Dental implants are a permanent, lifelong solution because they integrate with the bone in your jaw, becoming like the roots of natural teeth. But, don’t worry, you can get back to your normal routine within a few days of surgery — just be careful when chewing hard foods around the implant site until your doctor indicates that you have made a complete recovery. The wait is worth it!
When are the replacement teeth attached to the implants?
The replacement teeth are usually attached to the implant when adequate healing has occurred, and your jaw bone is firmly fused to the implant. Depending on a variety of factors, it may be possible to begin this phase of your treatment immediately or shortly after implant placement. We will review the most appropriate treatment sequence and timing for your particular situation.
How much do dental implants cost?
At the onset, dental implants may seem expensive, but they are an incredible long-term value. The cost of your personal dental implant treatment will depend on the number of teeth being replaced, whether you will require additional procedures such as bone grafting or extraction and your insurance coverage. The best way to find out what this life-changing tooth replacement solution will cost you is to contact our practice in Hiawatha, IA, to schedule your consultation with one of our oral surgeons.
Are dental implants painful?
Although it is natural to be concerned about the pain that may be caused by these procedures, most patients do not experience severe or significant post-operative pain. Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed for you to make your recovery as easy as possible. The oral surgeons at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa are highly trained in the administration of anesthesia and sedation. You will be given a local anesthetic or IV sedation for your dental implant surgery. You will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
What can I use for teeth while the implants heal?
Many options are available and will be tailored to your specific requirements. If you need a replacement tooth while the implants are healing, temporary removable teeth or a temporary bridge can be made. If all of your teeth are missing, we can usually modify your present complete denture or make you a new temporary denture. If you would prefer nonremovable teeth during the healing phase, temporary transitional implants usually can be placed along with the permanent implants, and temporary teeth may be made and inserted the same day. Depending on your oral health condition, some implants can be placed and loaded immediately. This means a temporary or permanent replacement tooth can be placed on, or shortly after, the day the implant is placed.
Where can I get dental implants?
If you are interested in dental implant treatment and live near the Hiawatha area, give our practice a call to schedule a consultation. Our doctors are trusted experts at dental implant surgery and offer the full scope of dental implant procedures.
Other questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to give Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa a call at (319) 743-0077 where a member of our staff will be pleased to assist you.