Boise Idaho Dentist


Dental Implant Questions

Most Frequently Asked Implant Questions 

1) What is a dental implant?

There are three components involved in a dental implant.  First, a small titanium screw is attached to the bone in the area of a missing tooth.  Then, a post also called an "abutment" is created which attaches to the implant itself and finally, a crown is then attached to the abutment to provide a natural looking tooth.  A dental implant can be used to replace a single tooth, several different teeth or all teeth depending on your needs.

2) What are the benefits of dental implants?

  • Implants can look and perform like your natural teeth because they are permanently secured.
  • Implants restore your natural smile and are conducive to preserving your facial features.

  • Implants do not damage any surrounding teeth.

  • Implants prevent the loss of bone.

  • Implants can look as beautiful as a natural tooth and can be placed quickly.

  • Dental Implants can improve your confidence through a more natural appearance and can give you the ability to eat the types of food you like, while allowing you to pursue an active lifestyle, without worries.

3) Why are dental implants so successful?

Dental implants are successful appoximately 97% of the time.  In the rare event that an implant does not remain secure, your dentist will remove the existing implant and repeat the procedure, locating the tooth in a slightly different place, to assure a better integration with your jaw bone.

4) Who can get these?

Anyone with a missing tooth or teeth is a candidate for implants.  There are very few situations where implants are not recommended.  Your dentist can quickly and painlessly evaluate if you would benefit from an implant.

5) Is this procedure painful?

Many tooth implant patients admit that they are pleasantly surprised at the minimal amount of discomfort.  Once the implants are placed, the new teeth do not rest on the gums because they are secured to the implants themselves.  This technique alleviates aggravation to the surgical site.  This also assures less pain than is traditionally associated with some other procedures. 

6) Is this procedure covered by insurance?

Dental implants can qualify for some insurance coverage depending on your specific dental insurance policy.

7) Am I too old to have implants?

At present, age does not appear to be a factor for this procedure.  The primary issue involves bone healing around dental implants which occurs naturally for people of all ages.  The surgery also works well for those who are younger.  The only mitigating factor for those who are older centers around their general medical condition. There are a number of factors that could affect a patient's success rate for this procedure.  That is something that can easily be determined between your medical doctor and the dental professional who is to perform the procedure.

We hope you find this web site useful and invite you to contact us with your questions at any time.

Call us at 208-377-2160

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