Dental Implant FAQ

Dental implants have become the standard of care for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are no longer just for the rich or famous. At our office, we can place dental implants for patients with a single missing tooth or entire arches of missing teeth. The best part is that these implants will completely restore your chewing ability. With our customized dental implants, you will eat whatever you want and look great!

A dental implant will merge with the bone in your jaw over a period of a few months in a process known as osseointegration. Dental implants become part of your body and cannot get cavities or abscesses. They often last your entire life. We are so proud of our implant success rate that if an implant does not take, we do the second one at no charge!

Dental implants can be used for single missing teeth or to stabilize any denture — partial or full. The implants can lock down your teeth and eliminate the need for goopy adhesives or uncomfortable hooks.

All-on-4 dental implants have become a popular way to replace entire arches of missing teeth. But this implant system requires tiny screws that can break, leaving you with only three or fewer implants. Additionally, this permanent dental implant is not removable, making it difficult to clean.

You can spend anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. The cost depends on your dental needs, dental health and budget. Many patients are turning to more cost-effective mini dental implants to restore their missing teeth.

All-on-4 implants can replace entire aches of missing teeth, but these two-stage dental implants can be high maintenance. The procedure is also expensive. A typical All-on-4 dental implant case starts at about $25,000. At Dream Dentistry & Sleep Care, we can replace entire arches of teeth using our trademarked Comfort Lock Implant Bridge™ System. Our implant system costs less than All-on-4 implants and requires less chair time and lab time, giving you savings all around!

To find out if insurance pays for dental implants, you will have to check with your individual insurance provider. There are three parts to the implant (implant, abutment and restoration), and some insurance providers cover all three parts, while others may cover just one — or none. Our office is happy to work with your insurance provider to see what is covered.

You can be a “dental tourist” in Mexico to save money, but cheap does not always mean better. Additionally, many dentists in the United States may be hesitant to rebuild or do maintenance on dental materials not approved by the FDA.

A fractured tooth, especially one with a vertical crack, is at risk of failing even if it can be temporarily saved by a root canal. A root canal and dental crown can cost a few thousand dollars, and there is no guarantee that the tooth will survive. We can replace that same tooth with a dental implant that can last a lifetime, and you will never have to worry about that tooth again.

Dentures are a popular way to replace missing teeth. They are cheaper, but dentures can also break or warp over time, cause discomfort, and contribute to bone recession, which can be extremely expensive to fix. You also might have to replace your removable dentures many times in the course of your life. Dental implants, on the other hand, can last a lifetime and keep the bone from receding.

Dental implants are made from titanium, a material that is biocompatible, safe and durable. Once you have your implant, there are different restoration options to consider. We prefer using zirconium to restore implants. It is a material that is so hard it can be struck by a hammer and not break.

Chewing difficulties are the number one complaint of denture wearers. Conventional removable dentures can slide around in your mouth while you are trying to eat. Your bone changes shape when teeth are lost, which makes it difficult to find a good denture fit. Dental implants, however, are secured in the bone, allowing you to eat whatever you want.

Most people who lose their teeth turn to dentures to replace those teeth. But when you lose your teeth, your jawbone will begin to recede. This recession makes it difficult to find a good fit for the denture. An ill-fitting denture can make it difficult to eat and can cause sores in the mouth. Dental implants can stop the bone loss and give you replacement teeth that are more comfortable.

It all depends on your dental situation and budget, but in some cases, we can extract a failing tooth and place the dental implant and restoration in a single day. Other cases may take a few months or even longer. The bottom line is that we build a smile just for you that will last.

All dental implants join with the bone over time. The biggest difference between traditional dental implants and mini dental implants is the size. Mini dental implants are smaller than traditional implants, making them ideal for patients who do not have the bone height or width for traditional dental implants.

Almost everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Even patients who have jawbone recession can have dental implants to secure their teeth. The best way to see if you are a candidate for dental implants is to visit our office for a consultation.

Placing a dental implant is no more uncomfortable than having a filling, and there are a number of ways we can keep you comfortable. We offer sting-free local anesthesia and even sedation dentistry. We will also follow up with you after your visit to ensure you are healing well and without pain.

You may have some food restrictions immediately following your dental implant procedure, but over time, you will be able to eat whatever you want. It is like having your natural teeth again. Pizza, steak, apples, corn on the cob … it is all back on the menu.

First, you need to make sure the dentist can meet your needs and dental goals, particularly in terms of aesthetics, comfort, time and budget. You might want to add a few of these questions to help you decide: Do you have sedation? What is the recovery time? Can you make dental implants affordable for me? Our dental team can answer all of these questions and more.

A filling is a great way to stop decay in its tracks and restore the tooth. But a tooth can only be restored so many times before it fails or needs to be replaced. There is no set time frame or percentage we can provide, but our office is here to help if or when your tooth has outlived its usefulness.