Top 10 Questions About Dental Implants Answered by Alpharetta Dentist
By Cara Duty | Nov 8, 2023 | Dental Implants
Do you watch hockey? The first time you see a bunch of big, young hockey players smiling without their bridges and partials in, it’s shocking. Every player who makes it to the National Hockey League has lost teeth in game fights, falls, and whacks to the face. Award-winning dentist Dr. Brett Silverman of Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Alpharetta is very familiar with those toothless smiles. He has performed dentistry for professional hockey players, basketball players, and football players throughout his career.
Today, along with practice partner Darrel Morton, DMD, MBA, FAGD, Dr. Silverman helps patients replace missing teeth with a variety of prosthetics, including dental implants. If you have questions about implants or want to find out if they’re a good choice to treat your tooth loss, call Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Alpharetta today to schedule an appointment: 468-735-5946.
These top 10 FAQs were asked by Google Search users. We’ve chosen the most relevant questions for anyone considering implants.
- Is there a downside to dental implants?
- How painful is getting a tooth implant?
- What is the best age to get dental implants?
- How many teeth can you have on one implant?
- How long after extraction can you get implants?
- How much do dental implants cost, in truth?
- Can you get a dental implant years after extraction?
- How long do dental implants last?
- What is the failure rate for dental implants?
- What hurts more, tooth extraction or implant placement?
But before we dive into answering these questions, you need to understand what implants are, what they do, and how they’re placed. In this video, Dr. Brett Silverman explains dental implants.
Now, let’s dive into the dental implant questions so you can learn more about this life-improving, health-boosting procedure.
Is there a downside to dental implants?
Like all medical and dental procedures, getting dental implants comes with some risks. The outpatient surgery required to place an implant is performed in our Alpharetta dental office, and we go above and beyond to ensure patient safety, as well as patient comfort. Overall, dental implants have a 95% success rate, a phenomenal percentage that’s better than the survival rate of dental fillings and crowns.
How painful is getting a tooth implant?
Pain is an experience we can circumvent during dental procedures. We make dental implant surgery as comfortable as possible by providing sedation. Three levels are available:
- Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas makes a patient feel woozy and giddy. Nitrous oxide inhibits the ability to recognize pain.
- Oral sedation, which requires taking a pill before treatment. Under this medication, the patient won’t recognize pain and may even doze off during treatment. Patients who have oral sedation should not drive home.
- IV sedation is given through a vein. We don’t put patients to sleep but rather administer enough medication for the patient to enter a twilight state, between wakefulness and sleep. Anxiety, fear, and pain cannot be experienced under IV sedation. Many patients don’t remember anything of the dental appointment afterward. IV sedation requires that the patient not drive afterward.
What is the best age to get dental implants?
Generally, we prefer patients be at least 18 years old before having a dental implant placed. Studies show that patients who wait until age 25-30 may enjoy a better cosmetic outcome long-term.
These dental implant studies are available online, should you want to read them.
There is no upper age for dental implant candidates who have good oral health, good overall health, adequate bone density, and are not undergoing certain medical treatments or taking certain medications. If you’re concerned about being “too old” for implants, talk with Dr. Silverman or Morton. A consultation and thorough evaluation will reveal whether dental implants are the right choice to replace your lost teeth.
How many teeth can you have on one implant?
A single dental implant can hold a single crown.
One or two implants will secure a bridge of multiple teeth.
Four to six implants per arch can anchor a full denture.
How long after extraction can you get implants?
In some cases, temporary implants can be placed on the day of surgery. Usually, we like to wait 10 weeks after dental extraction before placing an implant. This allows the tissues time to heal but isn’t so long that bone loss will begin to occur.
Can you get a dental implant years after extraction?
Patients who wait years after extraction before seeking dental implants may have lost bone density in the jaw. Poor bone density causes a brittle, weak jawbone. But this doesn’t necessarily exclude you from dental implant candidacy. We can place bone grafts in the jaw to restabilize bone so that it is dense enough to anchor dental implants.
How much do dental implants cost, in truth?
Broadly, dental implants in Alpharetta cost about $3500 each. The more implants a patient has placed, the lower the individual cost. Patients who need bone grafts or gum disease treatments before getting implants will incur associated costs.
How long do dental implants last?
In a patient with good oral and overall health, and in the absence of injury, a dental implant can last the rest of the patient’s lifetime. The prosthetic teeth (crown, bridge, or denture) will need replacement when it wears out.
What is the failure rate for dental implants?
Implants have an excellent success rate of 95%, overall.
What hurts more, tooth extraction or implant placement?
Patients tell us that these two procedures come with the same level of discomfort; one does not hurt more than the other. However, our patients have access to three levels of sedation dentistry to ensure peace of mind and body during extractions and implant surgeries.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation in Alpharetta Today!
Drs. SIlverman and Morton, along with our talented team of professionals, invite you to schedule a consultation so that you can talk with the implant dentist about your unique case. The results of your comprehensive oral evaluation, health and oral histories, and your current medical state will factor into whether implants are the best teeth replacement option for you.
The doctor will take time to present his findings, explain his recommendation, and answer all of your questions. We welcome patient questions, because the more you know, the better you’ll feel about making wise decisions. Call Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Alpharetta today at 678-735-5946. For your convenience, we take appointments Monday-Friday, as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 5 p.m. Our office is located on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, 30022.