Frequently Asked Dental Implant Questions

Dental Implant FAQs

Will I have temporary teeth during the healing phase?

In many situations, temporary teeth will be placed after your dental implant surgery. If your implant is in an area of your mouth that “shows” when you talk or smile, we will offer you options to replace these teeth during the healing phase.

Do dental implants hurt?

The surgical procedure will be painless. After surgery, most patients are surprised by the small amount of discomfort they experience. We recommend Exparel® be given immediately after your surgery. Exparel® provides a near pain-free environment for 2-3 days for most patients. Pain reduction medications are also given after surgery.

Do dental implants feel like real teeth?

Yes! Your dental implant will feel, look and operate just like your natural teeth. You will be eating all of the foods that you used to enjoy with your new, permanent tooth before you know it!

Will I need to miss work for dental implant surgery?

Patients typically take a few days off work, depending on the difficulty of the procedure and their pre-operative health. If there is any post-operative swelling or discomfort, this typically peaks on the third day after surgery.

What are single-stage implants?

Many years ago, dental implants were “hidden” under the gum tissue for several months during the healing phase. With experience, we have discovered that leaving an implant “exposed” does not affect healing and prevents a second procedure to uncover the implant in the future.

What if I am missing a lot of teeth?

If you are missing many teeth, a consultation will help you and our dental implant team decide which option is best for you. A procedure called an “All-on-Four” may be ideal for you versus several individual implants. Many factors go into making the best decision for you in the long run. Our office has exceptional expertise in helping our patients with multiple missing teeth.

What are the risks and complications associated with dental implants?

Risks and complications can occur in all surgical procedures including dental implants. Fortunately, Dr. Collins and our dental implant team have many years of experience and have performed thousands of dental implant surgeries. There are several factors that make dental implant surgery safe and low risk. We believe the #1 risk reduction strategy is to select an experienced team with decades of dental implant experience.

How long do dental implants last?

There are many factors that go into how long a dental implant can last. The proper surgery gets the implant off to a great start. After the implant has healed, the proper restoration (crown, etc.) is also extremely important. Follow-up care with your dentist and/or our practice is vital to maintaining your dental implant health. And lastly, your health and long-term hygiene of the implant may be the most important factor. If all of the above factors are done properly, your dental implant could last for decades or in many cases, all of your life!

When will I have my permanent teeth?

Permanent restorations are typically placed as early as 2 and as late as 6 months following implant surgery, depending on your case.

How do I care for my implants?

Care for your implants just like you do your natural teeth: by brushing twice and flossing once daily. You will be given a prescription and instructions for Peridex to brush and floss with as well.  Take good care of them and they will take care of you!

Missing Teeth? Consider Dental Implants!

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