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What is an implant? An implant is a fixture usually made out of titanium placed in the jawbone to take the place of a tooth root. The crown or tooth is then placed on the titanium root. How long to implants last? Implants have been utilized successfully since 1970. The initial research was completed in Sweden. As a result, we now have a 30 year history of success. Implants placed in our patients in 1987 are still functioning very well. If I have no teeth, do I have to have 28 implants? For individuals that have no teeth, approximately 6 to 8 implants placed in the upper jaw and the 6 to 8 implants in the lower jaw, enable the restorative dentist to secure all of your new teeth. I have been told that when I loose my teeth I loose the bone in my jaw. Will the implants grow my bone back? Yes, it is well documented that studies have shown implant placement will add bone to your jawbone Bryant, R: "The Effect of Age, Jaw Site, and Bone Condition on Oral Implant Outcomes," Intern Journ Of Prosth 1998; 11(5), 470-489 Is there a lot of pain with the implant placement? No, most people experience the same amount of discomfort as they would for a tooth extraction. How much do implants cost? There are two fees associated with implants. The oral surgeon fee for placement of the implants and also a fee for the restorative dentist who places the teeth on the implants. The fees can vary depending on the number of implants and teeth needing restoring. We will be happy to give you a complimentary consultation to discuss your wants and needs. What do you mean by form and function? Our teeth were designed to chew food. The appearance or shape of our teeth is a result of the way they function. As a general guide, both the upper two front teeth, central incisors, and eye teeth, canines, are the same length about 12 mm. The length of the upper laterals, which are next to the two front teeth are shortened. These teeth are long to help guide the back teeth coming together without chipping and fracturing. If the front teeth become to short, the back teeth become over stressed, flat and bone occurs. If my teeth don’t look very good does that mean they are not functioning right? Yes and no: Yes if the upper and lower teeth are worn or do not line up to chew correctly. No if your teeth are discolored or with minor chips they could be function fine. Cosmetic changes such as bleaching may be all that is needed to enhance your appearance. How much will it cost to improve my smile? The question is very difficult one because every person is different. The analogy would be how much would it take to fix my car? First we have to fine out what is the matter with the car. The initial investment for a cleaning would be $82.00. Give our office a call for a free complementary visual examination to assess your needs. What do you mean by a healthy mouth? The unworn teeth are hare structures that support the face and the lips in addition to helping us chew our food. How do worn teeth change our smile? When the front teeth become worn and shorter they are unable to support lip which rolls inward and become narrower. How does teeth loss affect the appearance of our face? Actually our teeth are an integral part of our face. When we loose our teeth the bone around the teeth melts away unsupported muscles and skin sag causing wrinkles to develop on our face. What is your policy with insurance companies? As long as your insurance carrier allows you to select any dentist, you will have some coverage in our office. However, most insurance plans have limited coverage depending on the type of service needed. We will be happy to provide you with a general range of your insurance coverage. Is there a difference in laboratory cost and how does my insurance carrier deal with this cost? Laboratory crown costs can vary from $40.00 to $400 per crown. The cost variance is dependent on the quality of the metal used, and the dentist choice of the skill and expertise of the laboratory technician
Kenley H. Hunt, DDS |
