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| Q |
What are dental implants? |
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Dental implants are metal anchors implanted in the jawbone to hold replacement teeth in place. The “root” sits in the jawbone below the gumline and the visible tooth, or “crown,” is attached to it. Implants support individual artificial teeth, bridges and dentures, and look and feel much like natural teeth.
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| Q |
How is a dental implant placed? |
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The first step is surgery to place the anchor of the implant into the jawbone. The procedure may take several hours under local or general anesthesia. You will then wait for the bone to heal firmly around the implant, which takes from six weeks to six months.
The metal post that attaches the tooth to the anchor may be placed during the same surgery or in a second procedure.
When the gums have healed, your artificial teeth will be made and fitted on the post. This often requires x-ray images, impressions, and bite registration records, so it may take several appointments over a few months to get your new teeth fitted properly.
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| Q |
Are there any risks involved? |
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Dental implant surgery is safer now than ever before. Nevertheless, as with any other surgery, some risks exist. These include complications from surgery such as excessive bleeding and reaction to anesthesia. Your dentist will discuss the risks with you in greater detail.
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| Q |
Will my teeth feel natural? |
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Yes, dental implants look and feel much like natural teeth. Artificial teeth are constructed to mimic real ones, and implants are fused to your jawbone so they feel snug. Implants are often more comfortable and fit more securely than other replacement options.
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| Q |
Why should I replace a missing tooth? |
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The healthiest thing to do when you lose a tooth is have it replaced. Otherwise, you risk problems with biting, chewing and speaking, headaches, muscle pain and an unattractive appearance.
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| Q |
What’s involved in dental implantation? |
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In the first one or two appointments, the post or anchor is implanted in the jaw. The replacment tooth, bridge or denture is fitted and installed when the bone and gums have healed. Surgery may be performed in an office or hospital with local or general anesthesia.
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| Q |
What are veneers? |
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Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front sides of teeth to close gaps, cover stains and discolorations, and correct chipped or misshapen teeth to give you a bright, even, attractive smile.
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| Q |
What are crowns used for? |
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Crowns are used to strengthen and improve the shape, size or color of teeth. They can support broken or weak teeth or those with large fillings; provide a smooth, strong, attractively contoured surface for stained, misshapen or otherwise abnormal teeth; and aid in the restoration of implants.
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| Q |
What do bridges do? |
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Bridges (also called fixed partial dentures) are natural-looking tooth replacements which help maintain facial structure, reduce stress on the jaw and fill in the gaps caused by missing teeth.
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| Q |
Are bridges always made of metal? |
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| Q |
Can I take my bridge out and clean it? |
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Removable bridges can be taken out and cleaned at home, but fixed bridges are cemented to the teeth, crowns or caps cannot be removed either.
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| Q |
What does in-office whitening or bleaching involve? |
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Bleaching products brighten teeth that have been stained or darkened by food, tobacco use, age, injury or other causes that cannot be corrected with regular brushing or professional cleaning. There are a variety of in-office and take-home whitening products to reduce or eliminate such stains. In-office bleaching, also called chairside bleaching, takes place over a series of one-hour appointments at your dentist’s office. First, your teeth will be examined and cleaned to make sure there are no cavities, loose fillings, gum problems or other issues that may be exacerbated by the bleaching process. Your dentist will make a custom-fit mouth tray for your teeth that goes home with you for future touch ups of your teeth. Then the bleaching gel, a hydrogen peroxide solution, is applied to your teeth. A tissue protecting gel or rubber dam is fit over the gums to protect them. A high intensity light shines on the teeth for 1 hour to facilitate the process.
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