Frequently Asked Questions
Is it successful?
Using only Straumann dental implants, which have a high quality documented research and development for 30 years a survival rate of 97 to 100% for different treatment methods is achievable.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Quality of life may be improved due to improvement in function and aesthetics due to the higher degree of predictability when compared with more conventional forms of treatment.
Will I be left without teeth during treatment?
We appreciate that having a gap can be embarrassing and we shall do our utmost to prevent this, but there may be occasions, when, to improve the prognosis you may be asked not be wear an appliance for as limited period as possible.
How long does the treatment take?
Routinely this is about 12 weeks, but may be longer if osseointegration takes longer due to insufficient quality or volume of bone. Following surgery a treatment time schedule will be outlined.
Am I too old?
No. Anyone who is medically fit enough can have dental implants provided there is sufficient bone. If the bone volume is inadequate additional bone may be grafted.
Will it look artificial?
Working with our technicians, who is highly skilled in the art and science of aesthetic management, natural looking teeth will be re-established on a solid implant foundation.
Is it painful?
Implants are placed under local anesthetic and we work closely with our patients to ensure no discomfort is felt during the placement of dental implants. Post-operatively we supply analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics where applicable to ensure the comfort of our patients. Our experience is that discomfort is minimal and a high percentage of our patients stop taking analgesics after a day or so.
What happens after implant treatment?
In an aid to ensure long term success and as a part of our consultation procedure we will need to ensure that the remaining teeth and supporting tissues of bone and gums are healthy and will be monitored regularly after placement of implant with regular check ups with your dentist and hygienist. Clinical studies have shown that yearly reviews with your implantologist aids in the long term prognosis.
Is it expensive?
In comparison to conventional modalities of treatment such as crowning, bridging and dentures, implants may seem expensive, but when the biological cost of cutting healthy teeth and improvement in quality of life in having a stable dentition is measured together with Implants having the greatest success rates of all forms of restorative dental treatment the relative additional expense may not be significant. See Implant fee section.
How long will implants last?
As with any artificial replacement in the human body, no promises or guarantees can be made as to the longevity of implant or implant-supported prostheses.
Some implants are still functioning successfully after 40 years. For patients who have a history of trouble with their mouths and whole bone physiology around their roots, the prognosis would be less optimistic than for patients who have had fewer dental health problems. Also, if there are many natural teeth remaining, the expected longevity of an implant is greater than if all the teeth are missing. As with any artificial replacement in the human body no promises or guarantees can be made as to longevity of the implant or of the implant-supported appliance.
Similarly, we will attempt to provide the best aesthetic result possible by using the highest quality materials and techniques but no responsible clinician can guarantee an exact outcome.