Innovative Implants

Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

Are dental implants safe?

Generally speaking, dental implants are considered a safe tooth replacement solution when treatment is properly performed by a skilled and experienced dentist. Of course, as with any surgery, there is some degree of risk involved, making it imperative that you select a dentist who has received extensive implant dentistry training, utilizes state-of-the-art technology for precision planning and surgical placement, and has a proven track record of successful treatment—such as the doctors on our team. By choosing the right dentist, you can minimize potential risks and complications while maximizing safety and long-term success.

Do dental implants hurt?

Typically, local anesthesia is all that is necessary to limit any potential discomfort during dental implant surgery. In fact, most of our patients say they experienced little to no pain at all—only slight sensations of pressure. Following treatment, our doctors often recommend over-the-counter medication should any postoperative discomfort manifest, though the majority of individuals have no issues with pain after the placement of their dental implants.

How do I clean and care for my dental implants?

Just like natural teeth, dental implants require regular brushing and flossing, as well as professional cleanings at least twice annually. While the implant post and tooth restoration attached to the top will not decay, ensuring the surrounding gum tissue and other oral structures remain healthy is essential to achieving long-lasting results.

How successful are dental implants?

The success rate of implant dentistry is very high when treatment is performed by a qualified provider. That said, success is not solely in the hands of the dentist—patients themselves also play a role. Factors such as how closely recovery instructions are followed, how well optimal oral hygiene is maintained over time, and whether or not detrimental habits like smoking and/or tobacco use are avoided can all influence the long-term success or failure of dental implants. Therefore, choosing the right dentist and doing your part to ensure the best outcome is critical to success.

Is it ever too late to get dental implants?

When it comes to candidacy for dental implants, age is not generally as important as having adequate jawbone density and sufficient oral wellness. In fact, Dr. Olson has treated numerous patients who chose to receive dental implants or All-on-X Implant prosthetics later in life. During your consultation, he can determine if dental implants would be right for you at this time based on your unique situation.

How do I choose an implant dentist?

Selecting the right dentist for dental implants is an incredibly important decision, as it relates directly to your safety, results, and overall quality of care. To help ensure you choose the right provider, it can be beneficial to heed the following advice:

• Make sure your dentist has the proper training and experience to perform implant surgery. To do so, you can usually visit the bio page on their website and/or various online directories, as well as simply ask them about their educational and professional background directly.
• Inquire about the number of dental implant cases your dentist has performed, including an estimate of the overall success rate they have attained. Also, despite how unlikely implant failure may be in the right hands, it’s always a good idea to ask what steps would be taken in the event treatment is not initially successful.
• Ask about the technologies your dentist will utilize to perform all aspects of treatment. In today’s age of dentistry, advanced technology isn’t simply a flashy way to attract patients—state-of-the-art planning software, surgical guides, milling systems, and more can truly improve the efficacy, efficiency, and long-term success of implant dentistry.
• Check out online ratings, reviews, and testimonials for your dentist—preferably those pertaining to implant dentistry. What former patients have to say about their experience can give you a great indication of the quality of care (and potentially even results) you can expect.
• Take a look at before-and-after photos of dental implant patients on your dentist’s website. Actually visualizing the outcomes your dentist has achieved for other patients can help to ensure your aesthetic goals align with theirs. You may even find patient cases similar to your own.
• Listen to your gut. Even if your prospective dentist checks all other boxes, if you don’t get a good feeling or something seems off, trust your instincts and continue your search for the right provider. You want to feel completely comfortable and confident in whomever you choose—you deserve nothing short of top-quality care.

Does smoking affect dental implants?

Smoking is associated with slower healing, an increased risk of infection and gum disease, as well as a loss in jawbone density, all of which can negatively impact both your dental implants and your overall oral health. Smoking is also believed to increase the likelihood of implant failure, as nicotine restricts the flow of blood and oxygen to your oral cavity, potentially impairing the osseointegration process. Your dentist will likely recommend that you stop smoking as far in advance of your procedure as possible. Ideally, patients would never resume smoking, but it is imperative that the activity be avoided for at least the first two to three months after implant placement.

How do dental implants feel?

Once your implant has successfully fused with the jawbone, it is considered a permanent part of the mouth and should look, feel, and function almost exactly like a normal tooth. The only major difference is that the implant does not have nerve endings, so any sensation will be generated by the surrounding teeth and gum tissue.

How many dental implants will I need?

The precise number of dental implants you need will depend on a few different factors, such as how many missing teeth you have and whether you are interested in single-tooth implants or multi-tooth restorations. For patients missing only one or a few single teeth, individual implants can be used to replace the entire structure of each tooth. For those missing several consecutive teeth or even an entire arch of teeth, an implant bridge or All-on-4 implant prosthesis can often be supported using just a few strategically placed implants.

Are there any dietary restrictions with dental implants?

Unlike traditional dentures, implants and implant-supported restorations typically do not involve long-term dietary restrictions. That said, patients may be asked to go on a soft food diet for a few weeks or months following their initial implant surgery, as this can help promote healing. Hard or chewy foods can disturb the newly implanted post(s) and the surrounding gum tissues, potentially causing pain or slowing down the healing process. Once the implant post has properly fused with the jawbone and the final crown restoration has been placed, patients can resume eating as they normally would.

How long do dental implants take to heal?

For most patients, it takes between three and six months to fully heal after dental implant surgery. That said, different patients heal at different rates, and it is important to follow all of your dentist’s aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth, efficient healing process. The good news is that the healing process itself is typically fairly straightforward. There may be some minor discomfort in the days following surgery, but this is usually quite manageable with over-the-counter medication. The remainder of the healing time is dedicated to allowing the implant to fully fuse with the jawbone for optimal stability.

How can I avoid dental implant failure?

One of the major keys to ensuring the success of dental implants is to ensure they are placed by a qualified provider. Our team has extensive experience performing implant procedures, and we utilize advanced imaging techniques and surgical guides to optimize your chances of dental implant success.

Another essential factor in avoiding dental implant failure is ensuring that you follow all of your dentist’s aftercare instructions carefully and maintain good oral hygiene. Patients who smoke are also strongly advised to quit prior to the procedure, as smoking is associated with a higher risk of implant failure.

How strong are dental implants?

Dental implants are quite strong. Once fully healed, the implant post is considered a permanent part of your mouth. During the osseointegration phase, the implant post fuses with your jawbone, creating a secure, durable foundation for a dental restoration. Every custom implant crown, bridge, and full-arch prosthesis is fabricated using strong, high-quality materials for a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing outcome.

How old do you have to be to get dental implants?

While there is not a definitive age limit on dental implants, a few different factors can influence candidacy. Patients should generally be adults in good overall health who have one or more missing teeth. Skeletal development often continues into the late teens and even twenties, so younger patients may be advised to wait before getting dental implants. This is because changes to the jaw and facial structures can compromise the stability of implants. Similarly, older patients who have experienced a loss of bone density may be advised to undergo a preliminary bone graft in order to ensure they have a robust enough tissue foundation to properly support dental implants.

How many dental implants can you get?

Theoretically, a patient with sufficient jawbone density can get as many individual implants as they have teeth that need to be replaced. That said, in most cases, patients requiring more extensive tooth replacement may wish to explore options such as implant bridges and All-on-X Implant prosthetics. These multi-tooth restorations are designed to be secured using just a few precisely placed implants.

Will I ever be without teeth during the dental implant process?

While the final dental restoration is typically not secured in place until after the osseointegration process has finished, a temporary crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthetic can typically be placed on the same day as the implants. This ensures that patients never have to go without teeth during the dental implant treatment process.