Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implant treatment involves surgery, healing, restorative dentistry and long-term maintenance. Use this guide to understand the most common questions patients ask before and after implant treatment.
Dental Implant Basics
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a biocompatible fixture placed in the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or larger restoration.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Candidacy depends on health, gum condition, bone, smoking, healing factors, oral hygiene and the restorative plan.
Are dental implants painful?
Local anesthesia is typically used during implant placement. Sedation may be considered when appropriate. Post-operative soreness varies by procedure.
How long does implant treatment take?
The timeline varies depending on healing, bone conditions, implant stability, grafting and the type of restoration.
Implant Placement Questions
Can the implant be placed when my tooth is removed?
Sometimes. Immediate placement depends on socket condition, infection, bone, soft tissue, implant stability and the planned restoration.
Do I need bone grafting?
Not everyone does. Grafting may be recommended when available bone does not support the desired implant position.
What is a sinus lift?
Sinus augmentation is a bone-development procedure that may be considered for upper back-tooth implant sites with limited bone height.
How long does an implant need to heal?
Healing time varies with bone, implant stability, grafting, implant location and individual health factors.
Questions About the Final Tooth
What is an implant restoration?
It is the crown, bridge, denture or full-arch prosthesis supported by one or more dental implants.
Can you restore an implant placed by another dentist?
Potentially. The implant should be evaluated and its system and restorative components identified when possible.
Can an old implant crown be replaced?
In many cases an implant crown can be repaired or replaced without replacing the implant itself, depending on the implant, components and surrounding tissues.
What if my implant crown is loose?
A loose crown should be professionally evaluated because the cause may involve the crown, screw, abutment, bite or implant.
Maintenance & Complication Questions
Can dental implants fail?
Yes. Problems can involve healing, bone, gum tissues, implant position, infection, bite or restorative components. Diagnosis is important before deciding on treatment.
How do I maintain dental implants?
Excellent daily cleaning, professional implant evaluation and appropriate maintenance of crowns, bridges or prostheses are important.
Do implant restorations last forever?
No restoration should be considered maintenance-free or guaranteed for life. Components can wear and may require repair or replacement over time.
How much do dental implants cost?
Cost depends on the number of teeth, surgical requirements, bone grafting, type of restoration and overall case complexity.