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1. What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial root placed in a 15-20 minute procedure. A tooth replaced with a dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth that dentistry has available.
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2. How do I know if an implant is best for me?
Anyone who wears dentures, partial dentures or is missing one or more teeth can be helped by dental implants!
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3. Who should place dental implants?
Although any licensed dentists can place an implant. The patient should ask questions as to the dentist’s specific education and background in the field of oral implantology.
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4. Are people that place implants specialists?
Oral Implantology is not a specialty recognized by the American Dental Association. The American Board of Oral Implantology is, however, a recognized testing agency for dentists who submit their credentials to the Board. A Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Implantology has passed the most rigorous exam available in the field of oral implantology.
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5. How do I find the right dentist to place my implants?
Ask your general dentist who, in your area, has the education and background to place implants. In most cases, a dentist who places implants will work very closely with you and your general dentist to provide all phases of treatment so that your case is one that you value and appreciate.
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6. How much do implants cost?
Obviously fees can vary around the country. On average, a dental implant costs around $ 1200. In most cases, if you need more than one dental implant, the cost per implant will be less.
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7. Are dental implants hard to take care of?
Good oral hygiene at home and by a professional is adequate for the care of an implant. In most cases, the home care regimen is the same as that for natural teeth.
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8. How many implants can I have placed at one appointment?
Obviously, your general health and the skills and experience of your surgeon can have an impact on this. Most experienced implant surgeons can place all of the implants that are necessary at one appointment.
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9. How long does an implant last?
Because of the strength of the metal, it is extremely unlikely that an implant will break. There is also no chance that an implant can decay. It is very important that the patient with implants keep up good home and professional hygiene care to maximize the life expectancy of an implant. Many dental implants have been in function for over 20 years.
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10. What if I have osteoporosis?
This is a disease that must be evaluated on an individual basis by your implant surgeon and your physician. A patient with osteoporosis does not necessarily mean that the osteoporosis has or will affect the bone in the jaw in which the implants are placed.
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11. Is the surgery painful?
Most patients experience little, if any, discomfort during the procedure. As in any dental procedure, local anesthetic is used to thoroughly numb the area. Many surgeons use IV sedation to help with patient’s anxiety.
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12. What is the difference between an implant and a fixed bridge?
In both cases the final teeth are " fixed" i.e. not removable. The overwhelming advantage of an implant is that the adjacent teeth around the missing tooth do not have to be cut down for a crown.
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13. Should I be concerned about infection?
Dr. D'Orazio performs all of his surgeries under the most strict sterile conditions possible. The surgery suite at Dr. D'Orazio's office is similar hospital operating room. Additionally, patients are given pre-operative antibiotics to further reduce the chance of infection.
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14. Why Replace a Missing Tooth At All?
Prevent Bone Loss When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it no longer receives stimulation and begins to deteriorate. A dental implant, however, forms a strong bond with the jaw, offering a stable foundation for replacement teeth and preventing bone loss that is inevitable with missing teeth. Other tooth replacement systems, such as dentures, cannot offer the same bone loss prevention that dental implants provide.
Appearance
Bone loss dramatically affects the facial structure of people who have missing teeth or who wear dentures. Missing teeth and resulting bone loss cause the lower third of the face to collapse and sink inward. In addition, the muscles of the face shift, causing deep wrinkles. By not replacing a missing tooth, the other teeth “drift.” The result is a mouthful of crooked teeth that affect both appearance and bite. Health People who have missing teeth or who wear dentures often have difficulty chewing. Because their food choices are limited, they experience problems with digestion and nutrition. Tooth decay is common in people who wear partials, because the area where the partial is anchored is harder to clean and more easily collects decay-causing bacteria.
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15. Why Are Implants Better Than Dentures or Partials?
Bridges and partials may be effective for a short time, but wearing them is hard on the natural teeth to which they are anchored. The anchor area is harder to clean and more easily collects decay-causing bacteria. As well, bone loss is still a serious consequence. Continued bone loss makes wearing dentures more and more challenging. People with severe bone loss in the lower jaw report excruciating pain when wearing a lower denture. Even the best dentures don’t offer nearly the same benefits as dental implants. Because dental implants provide a strong anchor for your new teeth, you don’t have to worry about the pain, discomfort or social embarrassment associated with wearing dentures or bridges.
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16. What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They maintain the natural shape of your jaw and face, which can change after you lose teeth. They won't decay like natural teeth. They preserve other teeth. They help restore biting and chewing. They eliminate bone loss in your jaws, which is inevitable after tooth loss. They won't slip like dentures.
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