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Dental Implant FAQs

Straight answers about candidacy, cost, comfort, and care, from the specialists who place implants every day.

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What is a dental implant?

Implants are a tooth replacement option that involves placing a new "root" into the bone of your jaw. Once this titanium "root" has fused with your bone, it can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture, and implants can also replace partials and other forms of dentures.

The success rate for dental implants is extremely high, due in part to the fact that root-form implants are made of a biocompatible material: titanium. Because titanium is accepted so well by the human body, it is also used for orthopedic implants such as hip and knee replacements.

Dental implants have become the standard for replacing older dentistry and missing teeth because they look and feel like your natural teeth and have a higher success rate than all other forms of tooth replacement. An investment in implant dentistry is an investment in overall health, appearance, and well-being; it preserves the integrity of facial structures as well as replacing missing teeth.

What Is A Dental Implant?
Common Questions

Everything patients ask us about implants

If you are missing one or more teeth and in general good health, you are a candidate for dental implant treatment. There are a few qualifying factors that need to be addressed:

  1. Quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement.
  2. Uncontrolled diabetes or other medical conditions.

Overall, there are very few conditions that would keep someone from having implant treatment. Even people who have lost a significant amount of bone can qualify, although an additional procedure to add or create new bone may be necessary. Advances in this type of treatment have made it possible for most people who would not previously have been considered candidates to have successful implant treatment.

Most implant patients report that the discomfort is far less than they expected and is no more remarkable than having a root canal or having a tooth extracted. Of course, you are anesthetized during the procedure, and although everyone's pain tolerance is different, most patients are very comfortable simply taking over-the-counter analgesics afterward. We also offer IV and oral sedation for anxiety-free treatment.

Dental implants are designed to be permanent; however, a few factors contribute to long-term success, such as the original quality of the surgical and restorative treatment, proper home care, and regular check-up visits. Dental implant treatment is one of the most successful procedures in the medical-dental field, with documented success rates over 95%. By comparison, research demonstrates that the average tooth-supported bridge lasts 7–10 years, and partials and dentures are functional for approximately 5 years before the appliance must be replaced.

Traditional treatment may take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending upon the quality of the bone in which the implants are placed. If an additional procedure is required to augment the bone, total treatment time may be between six to nine months. Some implant candidates may qualify for immediate-load / immediate-function procedures, also known as "same day implants."

The actual cost is based on a number of factors, such as the number of missing teeth being replaced, the type of implant-supported teeth recommended, and whether additional procedures are necessary to achieve the proper esthetic and functional result. The only way to accurately estimate the cost for an individual patient is to have an examination and consultation. The total fee is usually comparable to other methods of tooth replacement; however, long-term, implant treatment is generally more cost effective than options such as bridges, partials, and dentures that need periodic adjustment and replacement.

Coverage depends on your individual policy. Most insurance plans only cover the basics, with an annual maximum allowable benefit of $1,000–$1,500, and most do not include dental implant coverage. However, they will often pay the same benefit they would cover for the lowest-cost alternative treatment option (partials and dentures) and some of the diagnostic records if a specific request is made for alternative benefits. Review both your dental and medical plans. Medical coverage is very rare, and Medicare does not cover implant treatment. We'll help you understand your coverage and file claims on your behalf.

Providing your overall health is good, there is really no age restriction; you are never too old for dental implants. Many patients well into their nineties have had dental implant treatment without difficulty. The desire to improve your quality of life is frankly a more important consideration than age. It is not unusual for people with dentures to upgrade to implant-supported dentures, restoring confidence in their smile and speech and bringing back foods that were once off limits.

A single tooth supported by an implant is like turning back the clock. The implant replaces the natural tooth root, so the jawbone and supportive gum tissue stay as vibrant as ever. Multiple implants may support single teeth or an implant-supported bridge, and implants may also anchor full-arch dentures, providing the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. Dental implant treatment is the only tooth-replacement solution that prevents jawbone resorption, which can make a smile look unnatural and even change facial appearance. The long-term esthetics of dental implants are superior to any other treatment option.

An implant-supported single tooth or crown-and-bridge is cleaned like a natural tooth, with regular brushing and flossing and regularly scheduled hygiene appointments. Home care is a little more involved for people who are missing all of their teeth. Special brushes and floss are often recommended. Because our specialists place the implants, we may want to see you at least once each year in addition to your regular dentist. These visits, combined with proper home care, are essential to the long-term success of implant treatment.

Every patient's situation is unique; however, from time to time we can use an existing denture by altering it to accommodate the necessary attachments to fit the implants. Learn more about implant-supported dentures.

Dental implants can last a lifetime, unlike bridges, partials, and dentures that may need to be replaced several times. An implant replaces the lost tooth root, preventing the jawbone resorption that occurs with other options; loss of tooth roots changes the smile and the contours of the face over time. A bridge requires the alteration of each neighboring healthy tooth, which is cut down and shaped to accept a crown; with implant treatment there is no compromise to adjacent teeth. Removable partials hook onto healthy teeth, creating stress that loosens them over time, and full dentures actually accelerate bone loss, causing the appearance of premature aging.
Still Have Questions?

Ask us in person

The best answers come from an exam and a conversation. Request a consultation with our board-certified periodontists at any of our five Connecticut offices, with no referral needed, or start with an overview of how implant treatment works.