Questions about Dental Implants (FAQs)
Listed below are the most common questions we are asked about Dental Implants. If your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Can I eat following the implant procedure?
Yes. Most people typically carry-on their day as normal, using only simple pain-killers if necessary. If the implant, abutment and crown procedures are done separately, you should be able to use the new tooth immediately following the fitting of the crown since the healing should already have taken place.
My dentist says I have too much bone loss, can I still have an implant?
Unlike most practices, we are able to address most bone loss situations. Some cases will require bone grafts. In this instance bone can be taken form the patient himself, or we can use specially prepared, animal derived or synthetic bone substitute materials. Over time, additional natural bone continues to grow around the area making it stronger. We are able to do bone grafting on-site, which after a few month of healing will typically provide a good foundation for an implant.
We also have a wider range of implants to choose from than most practices which means more situations can be treated without bone grafts.
Since our main area of expertise is dental implantology, our training allows for a much wider range of treatment than most practices, so come and see us if you've previously been told you can't have an implant.
My dentist says the position of my sinus means I can't have an implant
In the upper jaw, one of the common challenges is the maxillary (or nasal) sinus. This is an air cavity that sits just above the positions of the molar and sometimes premolar teeth. When teeth are extracted in this area, the sinus enlarges, making the amount of bone available to support an implant even less. Sometimes, it is possible to manage the situation and place the implant without complex surgery. In other instances, we have to 'augment' the sinus. This is often done by opening a window at the side of the jaw to place bone inside the sinus. Implants can then be placed simultaneously, or it might be necessary to wait for a few months until the 'graft' has taken and matured. This type of surgery requires special training and is best performed under sedation. It is still possible in these cases, if replacing all the teeth in one arch, to fit a temporary bridge almost instantly but conditions differ and we'll confirm all details at your consultation.
