One of the most difficult challenges that patients face is the treatment of the edentulous or toothless mouth. Traditionally, the complete denture has been the most common restoration for a patient who has lost a full arch of teeth. However, dentures can be uncomfortable to wear and are unmanageable to keep stable while eating. Recent advances in dental technology have yielded many types of dental implants, from those who are missing a single tooth, to those who need a full set of teeth.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are missing at least one permanent tooth, you will most likely be a good candidate to receive dental implants. However, if you smoke, have diminished bone mass in your jaw, chew tobacco, or have gum disease, our dentist will have to assess your situation before considering you as a good candidate. Every situation is different, and a consultation with us here at Stansell Dentistry will be the determining factor as to who is and is not a good candidate.

Will I Need a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is like scaffolding that fuses with living tissues and stimulates the regeneration of bone growth. The tissue can be taken from your own body, it may be a synthetic tissue, or it may be sourced from a human tissue bank or an animal tissue bank. It can take several weeks for the jawbone to heal completely from a bone graft. If you are considering restoring the extracted tooth with a dental implant and have had both an extraction and bone graft, you will need to wait a few months, as the implant needs a strong supporting bone structure before it can be installed.

What is the All-on-4® Treatment Concept?

The All-on-4 Treatment Concept uses implants to retain a denture for a patient that has both tooth and advanced bone loss. The front two implants are set as close to a 90-degree angle as possible for maximum retention while the back two implants are set at 45-degree angles.

Are There Disadvantages of Dental Implants?

When getting your implants installed, there may be a small risk of infection, pain, and inflammation. Your procedure could be spread out over several months if you need other work done before your mouth can support the implants.
For more information, check out our Benefits of Dental Implants page

Will My Insurance Pay for My Dental Implants?

In some cases, you might be able to get part of the cost covered by your insurance company. The coverage will depend on what exactly will need to be completed during your procedure. It is advised to contact your insurance company to discuss the benefits they provide for dental implants before you get started so you will know what they cover.

Is there a Metal-Free Option?

There is not a metal-free implant option at this time. All the pieces that are used to create a dental implant have some type of metal in them. However, dental implants are made out of titanium alloy, which is extremely unlikely to cause any kind of allergic reaction.

Can Dentures Be Made Into Implants?

Unfortunately, dentures cannot be made into implants. There is a way to use dentures and implants simultaneously for added support of your jaw, but dentures cannot be permanently planted into your jaw.

If you still have any questions about dental implants, give Stansell Dentistry Associates a call at 984-477-0177. We will be able to answer any additional questions you may have about dental implants.