Dental Implants in Post Falls, ID

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jaw bone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life.

Evaluation for Dental Implants

We provide FREE implant consultations to see if you are a possible candidate or not, options and benefits. After that, if you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed by either Dr. Michael or by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon referred by our practice. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are metal anchors, which act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jaw bone. Then, for the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are gradually incorporating with the jaw bone.  At the same time, your restorative dentist designs the final crown, bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.

Are You Ready to Restore Your Smile?

Don’t settle for missing teeth! Dental implants are natural-looking replacement teeth that can renew your smile. Contact us today to learn more!

Call us: 208-773-5505

Dental Implants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Despite dental care improvements, many in the U.S. suffer tooth loss — mostly because of periodontal disease, tooth decay and injury. For many years, your only choice of treatment for missing teeth were dentures and bridges. Today, however, you also have the option of dental implants.

Dental implant surgery could provide you with a welcome alternative to bridgework or dentures that don’t fit well. They’re also an option when there’s a lack of natural teeth roots making it so your dentist can’t build bridgework or denture tooth replacements.

If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions you’d like to ask. In the hopes of answering these questions, we’ve put together the following dental implant FAQ list.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant isn’t an actual tooth, but rather a prosthesis used for replacing missing teeth. Basically, it’s a small titanium fixture the dentist inserts into your jawbone, on top of which the dentist can attach a:

  • Fixed bridge
  • Single crown (cap)
  • Full denture
  • Partial denture

The dentist surgically places dental implants in your jawbone. Implants serve as your missing teeth’s roots. Since the titanium in the dental implants fuses with your jawbone, the dental implants won’t make noise, slip or cause bone damage like dentures. Plus, the materials can’t decay like your natural teeth supporting regular bridgework could.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Dentists have used dental implants for many years, and implant technology continues to advance. Today, dental implants are sophisticated devices that highly trained professionals put in place. They’re one of the most reliable ways to replace missing teeth.

How Painful Is Getting a Dental Implant?

While discomfort can vary between people, most individuals report getting their dental implant was much less uncomfortable than they anticipated it to be. During the surgical dental implant procedure, the dentist will give you an anesthetic, so you should feel minimal discomfort if any.

They’ll use gentle techniques, and since the environment they’re working in is clean, there’s little risk of infection. If you follow the dentist’s post-operative instructions and take the prescribed antibiotics, you should experience minimal discomfort.

How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?

A few factors determine the dental implant procedure timeline. They are:

  • Your dental health
  • Which teeth are replaced
  • The number of teeth involved
  • If you’ll require a tooth extraction before the implant placement

The dentist restores your mouth with an implant in two phases and the entire process can take around three to six months. It could take even longer if you have an extraction that has to heal, or if you needed bone grafts before the dentist implanted the posts.

What Is the Upside of Dental Implants?

Fortunately, humans get two sets of teeth. When you lose a single tooth or multiple teeth because of gum disease or dental decay, implants can now replace them and serve as your third set of fixed teeth. Implants have many upsides, including:

  • They improve your appearance
  • They improve your confidence
  • They can last a lifetime
  • They allow you to have an active lifestyle
  • They improve your ability to eat the foods you like
  • You no longer have to worry about your teeth
  • They never decay because they’re made of titanium

Dental implants, in general, have an up to 98 percent success rate.

What Can I Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?

For two days following your surgery, drink liquids and consume soft foods only like:

  • Smoothies
  • Cooked cereals
  • Yogurt
  • Smooth soups
  • Cottage cheese
  • Ice cream
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Protein shakes
  • Refried beans
  • Pudding

On day three following your surgery, eat soft foods that don’t require much chewing like:

  • Cooked noodles
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Poached, soft-boiled or scrambled eggs

Avoid crunchy or tough foods like rice, pizza, hamburgers and popcorn. Avoid acidic and spicy foods. Most individuals resume their regular diet seven days after their surgery.

How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can You Have an Implant?

The dentist places dental implants in your jaw by making precise holes in your bone so that they fit snuggly. They do this where your teeth are missing but where you have adequate bone to hold the dental implants. In some cases, it’s possible for them to place dental implants on the same day your dentist extracts your teeth. Typically, however, it takes around three to six months of healing before you can have your implant placed.

Can Your Mouth Reject an Implant?

Very rarely does an individual’s body reject an implant. The jawbone usually readily accepts the dental implant. The very few rejections are due to rare allergies to the titanium alloy that make up the implant. Another reason why an implant could fail is if you don’t take proper care of it after your surgery. Without excellent oral hygiene, natural teeth fail and fall out eventually. Dental implants are no different. When you take good care of your teeth and your implants, it will help prevent gum decay and structure failure later on.

What Can You Not Do After Dental Implant Surgery?

First, you shouldn’t smoke. Smoking causes gum disease and recession, which makes the dental implant structure weak over time. Therefore, you should not smoke or chew tobacco.

Also, don’t apply any heat to your face unless you’re instructed to by your dentist. Heat could increase swelling.

Who Are Good Candidates for Dental Implants?

To be a good candidate for implants, you need to have good oral and general health. You also need to have adequate bone in your jaw to support the dental implant, be free of periodontal disease and have healthy gum tissues.

In general, you may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:

  • Have one or more teeth missing
  • Have enough bone for securing the dental implant or can have a bone graft
  • Have a fully grown jawbone
  • Have healthy oral tissues
  • Are unwilling or unable to wear dentures
  • Don’t have a medical condition that would affect bone healing
  • Would like to improve your speech
  • Can commit a few months to the process

Can You Attach DenturesTo Implants?

It might be possible for your dentist to place the implants beneath existing dentures to help stabilize and support them. However, the dentist can only do this if your existing dentures are in excellent condition. The dentist will examine your existing dentures to determine their condition.

Individuals who wear partial or full dentures are the most frequent users of dental implants. Dental implants can help provide support and retention for a removable implant overdenture that the dentist snaps on your implants. Implants help ensure that the full or partial denture doesn’t move and decreases the need for denture glue or adhesives. You can also use implants with a fixed denture. The dentist may bolt your dentures to the dental implants using titanium components.

How Long Do Implants Last?

Dental implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them properly by regularly brushing, flossing and following your dentist’s recommendations. While your dentist can’t guarantee the lifetime success of an implant, they can provide you with suggestions and guidelines on how to take good care of your teeth. They’ll base these guidelines on:

  • Your genetic history
  • Proper hygiene procedures
  • Your nutritional habits

Following the guidelines your dentist gives you will help ensure your implant has the best chance of lasting a lifetime.

Does the Dental Implant Procedure Hurt?

Most implant procedures are less uncomfortable than a tooth extraction. Most dentist offices have staff and dentists trained to safely provide conventional anesthesia methods along with other intravenous sedation anesthesia choices. When you choose effective IV and local anesthesia, your operative procedure will seem both brief and pleasant.

Will Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Typically, dental insurance doesn’t cover implants. But, more companies are realizing the need for these procedures, so there are some dental insurance plans that cover implants. In many cases, your insurance may help pay for teeth the dentist places on your implants, if not your dental implants themselves. You may want to call your insurance provider and see if you have coverage for your implants.

How Much Do Implants Cost?

This is a complicated question since the answer will depend on your specific situation. In obtaining this answer, you’ll learn more about your specific needs. Your dentist can give you a more accurate assessment of the costs of your procedure.

The cost of dental implant treatment will depend on various individual factors, including:

  • The amount, quality and location of bone
  • The number of dental implants you’ll need to support the teeth
  • The number of teeth that need replacing
  • The type of artificial teeth the dentist will use
  • The types of dental implants used

This is something you can discuss with your dentist during your initial consultation.