5 common questions about dental implants

We get a lot of questions from our Surrey community about dental implants. What are dental implants? Who can get them? How long does it take? We’re going to answer these and a few other of the most common questions we get asked about these ideal replacements for missing teeth.

Question 1:

What are dental implants?

Answer:

Dental implants are artificial teeth. The implant itself is a post, usually made of biocompatible titanium, that is set into the jawbone so that the bone grows around it and secures it in place. Then a cap, bridge or denture is attached to the post. They are meant to replace teeth lost to decay, disease, injury or other causes. 

Question 2:

Who can get them? What are the qualifications?

Answer:

Anyone, whose jaw has finished growing, is eligible for consideration. Dental implants can be used to replace any number of teeth from one through a whole set. Gums must be healthy and oral hygiene habits must be good.

Question 3: 

How long does it take to get implants?

Answer:

This answer differs for each person’s situation. In the best case scenario it takes several months. So you likely won’t be celebrating the Surrey Fusion Festival with your new pearly whites at the end of July, but they might be in place in time for our Surrey Tree Lighting Festival in November.

All that extra time is allowing for the implant surgery and the healing of the bone around it. Some people take less time to heal, and some take more. Each additional procedure, like tooth extractions or bone grafts (to augment the jaw bone to allow for a healthier site for implant placement) adds more time. Your dentist will give you a personalized timeline for your situation.

Question 4:

How long do they last?

Answer:

Dental implants are meant to be a permanent solution to tooth loss. So they typically last for decades. In fact, with good oral hygiene and proper care, they can last a lifetime.

Question 5:

 What could go wrong?

Answer:

The success rate for dental implants is very high, from 90%-98%. However some do fail for various reasons like infection, rejection, or improper care afterwards. In some cases a dentist can still salvage the procedure depending on what went wrong. Failure is rare though, so dental implants in Surrey remain the number one way to replace missing teeth.

Have more questions about dental implants? We’d love to answer them for you! Call Riverside Heights, your North Surrey dental office today. 604-584-2535