Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a false tooth root. It anchors inside the jaw bone and holds the tooth cap. It is made of a special metal, just like a hip or knee replacement.

How do I know I am a candidate?

When we examine you, we check to see if your jaw bone can receive the implant. A bone graft might be needed to regrow lost volume. There are only a few situations where implants cannot be placed.

I have gum disease, does it affect the implant?

Yes. Implants can have bone loss just like teeth do. This is why it is important to treat gum disease.

Can implants and teeth all be done in one day?

Sometimes, it is possible to insert teeth on implants on the day of surgery. Most of the time, we have to wait for bone to heal well first.

I need many implants, are they done one by one?

Implants in the same part of the mouth or jaw are all placed at the same visit.