Frequently Asked Questions

• About Dental Implants
• Who Is a Candidate
• Benefits over Traditional Treatment
• Expected Results
• Treatment and Care

Source: Nobel Biocare

About Dental Implants

What is a Dental Implant?

A Dental Implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental Implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a Dental Implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for a replacement tooth, or even a full set of replacement teeth. 

Why Dental Implants?

There are a number of reasons why you should consider a Dental Implant:

• Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. Shrinkage of the jaw bone can make your face prematurely age.
• There are no loose parts to worry about. Dental Implants are fixed in place, stable, comfortable, and can last a life time.

Are Dental Implants successful?

With more than three decades of clinical experience and over a million patients treated, statistics confirm a success rate of nearly 95 percent for individual Nobel Biocare Dental Implants, and even higher for the bridges they support.

Who places the Dental Implants?

At ClearChoice, all Dental Implants are placed by Oral Surgeons and restored by Prosthodontists. Implant dentistry is a surgical procedure, and Oral Surgeons initially have a minimum of 3 additional years of surgical training, including sedation, anesthesia, and any potential surgical and dental complications. Prosthodontists are dentists with additional specialized training in treatment planning, replacing, and restoring of missing teeth.

How much do Dental Implants cost?

The fee for tooth replacement with Dental Implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of Dental Implants required to support your replacement teeth. At ClearChoice, we offer Immediate Function™ procedures that minimize the number of Implants needed and often eliminate the need for additional procedures, such as bone grafting.

The ClearChoice approach also delivers all Implant services at one location and with one guaranteed price. In most cases, that price is lower than other conventional treatment plans generally available.

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Who Is a Candidate

Will Dental Implants work for me?

Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease, or tooth decay may be a candidate for Dental Implants. Often patients with extensive periodontal disease seek Dental Implants as an alternative to additional surgical procedures.The determining factor is often the amount of available bone. ClearChoice offers a free consultation with panoramic X-ray to evaluate whether Dental Implants are a viable solution for you. ClearChoice will even provide a free consultation for second opinions.

Is old age a problem?

Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of Dental Implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to receive Dental Implants. Certain chronic diseases may contraindicate Dental Implant treatment. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for Dental Implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.

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Benefits over Traditional Treatment

What are the advantages of Dental Implants over dentures or a dental bridge?

• Improved appearance – When you lose the entire tooth – crown and root – shrinkage of the jawbone may cause your face to look older. Dental Implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or dental bridge doesn’t.
• Preserve natural teeth – With traditional dental bridges, teeth adjacent to missing teeth are normally ground down to be used as anchors for a dental bridge. Dental Implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
• Permanent solution – There are no loose parts. The Dental Implants are stable, comfortable and can last a lifetime. They are life changing and support a more healthy and active lifestyle. No adjustments are needed. Implants can last a lifetime.

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Expected Results

How will Dental Implants affect my life?

Dental Implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel, and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, Dental Implants often improve quality of life in a very concrete way. Dental Implants are fixed in place. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often amazed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.

Will my new teeth look natural?

When Dental Implants are used in combination with modern restorative dentistry, their appearance, comfort, and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.

Will I be able to chew with the same force and pressure I use with my natural teeth?

Yes. Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is comparable to that of natural teeth.

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Treatment and Care

How much time is required for a Dental Implant placement?

Today, State-of-the-Art surgical techniques are convenient alternatives to place Dental Implants and allow you to have the Dental Implant placed in a single session. This new method, using CAT Scan technology, has significantly simplified the procedure, for both patients and dentists. This significantly reduces the healing time normally associated with traditional Dental Implant surgical techniques.

Conventional Dental Implant procedures can take up to as long as a year. First, the dentist places the Dental Implant, which is left for a time to integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, patients are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place. Then the conventional new teeth need to be manufactured at an outside lab, and then additional appointments are needed for fitting the new teeth before they are “tried in.” By having a dedicated in-house Implant lab, ClearChoice greatly reduces the time and cost to the patient.

The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved, and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.

Is the treatment painful?

With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one Implant normally causes less discomfort than placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the Dental Implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Your doctor at ClearChoice will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.

How will I feel after the treatment?

It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. But usually the discomfort, if any, is treated with an ordinary painkiller.

How will I care for my Dental Implants?

Your new teeth must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss as recommended. Following your treatment, you should see your dentist in six months, or more frequently if so advised.

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