Dental Implants

A dental implant is a combination of a titanium post, an abutment, and a restoration. The titanium post is surgically placed into the patient’s jawbone and will become the “root” for the restoration once it has fused with the bone. An abutment is used to connect the restoration to the titanium post.

Most patients want to know if dental implants are worth the cost. Dental implants do cost more upfront but in the long run will become the most financially responsible choice. With the proper care and maintenance, implants have the potential to last a lifetime, unlike most dental appliances. Below is a list of reasons why implants are worth the extra money:

• No longer hassle with having to remove and clean nightly dentures
• Enjoy eating the foods you like without worrying about dentures shifting out of place
• Enjoy the confidence of a beautiful smile
• Easier access between teeth to allowing for ease of flossing

• Single tooth replacement uses a single post to support a dental crown to replace a tooth lost to decay, injury, or periodontal disease.
• Replacing a row of teeth is done utilizing a single-unit or a multi-unit bridge. For up to three teeth a single-unit bridge is supported using two implanted posts. A multi-unit bridge is used when more than three teeth are being replaced in a single row.
• Full-arch replacement is done when either all or most, of the upper or lower teeth, will be replaced. Patients can opt for an implant-supported denture that connects to for posts.

Contact one of our offices to learn more about the dental implants options offered by Dr. Gurinsky.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Many people are concerned about the amount of pain that goes along with a dental implant procedure. You will have pain related to your dental implant because it is a type of surgery. But the pain is manageable, will pass with time, and the result will be well worth your time and effort.

You shouldn’t have much pain if any during the dental implant procedure, because you’ll be provided with anesthesia during the implantation. This anesthesia does wear off after the implant occurs. Then you’ll begin to feel some discomfort. The amount of pain you’ll have with your dental implants is determined by the number of implants that are placed, your individual pain tolerance levels, and the skill of your doctor. Dr. Brian Gurinsky remains a well-trained and skilled dental implant expert who can help you with any discomfort you may experience during a dental implant.

How Long Will Dental Implant Pain Last?

The length of pain after a dental implant varies among people. The average time it takes for pain from this procedure to end is about ten days. Swelling and redness should go away from the implant area in about three to five days. You’ll be given pain medications for the first few days. Please switch to the over-the-counter pain medications recommended to you by the dentist as soon as possible. If pain continues after two weeks, please contact our office for further instructions about dealing with extended dental implant discomfort.

Do Dental Implants Need to be Replaced?

For patients that have missing, cracked, or broken teeth, dental implants are a great solution. Implants give patients a permanent, comfortable option that lasts for years or even a lifetime.

At Brian Gurinsky, DDS, MS, we meet with our patients to evaluate if they are a good candidate for implants.  We also come up with a customized treatment plan for each patient that fits their needs. Our team is always available to help patients through each step of the way, supporting them and answering any questions they may have.

Many patients are interested in finding out if their dental implants will ever need to be replaced? Compared to other alternatives such as dentures or bridges that only last 5-15 years before needing replacement, implants are permanent and do last upwards of 25 years or even a lifetime.  It is important to care for implants just like our natural teeth to ensure they do last. Implants rarely ever need additional work once placed in the mouth, and have a 95% success rate with patients.

We recommend good oral hygiene, and following our recovery instructions as you heal from the implant procedure. Avoid hard foods and any products that will stain your teeth.

Tips to ensure your implants last a lifetime:

• Use a low abrasive brush such as a soft type tooth brush.
• Use a non-abrasive gel or paste to avoid scratching the surface of your implant.
• Floss daily using implant specific floss, or use a Waterpik Water Flosser to help protect and keep the implant and surrounding tissue healthy.
• Avoid any products containing, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, or baking soda. These products may make the implants prone to corrosion.
• Anti-microbial rinses can be used to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.

If you care for your implants and practice good oral hygiene, dental implants can last your lifetime and never have to be replaced. Contact Brian Gurinsky, DDS, MS today to schedule your appointment, and see how our implant services can benefit you.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are a wonderful way to restore a full, healthy smile when teeth are missing. Some may choose an implant option because they wear dentures and want a more secure and permanent solution. Implants are made with surgical-grade titanium, so they are completely safe and effective when placed underneath the gum line.

With proper care and routine dental exams, a dental implant can last a lifetime. They are made to fuse naturally with the bone, so once they are placed and heal successfully, they can be there for decades. The restoration or prosthetic that is placed on top of an implant won’t last as long as the implant itself. For example, crowns and bridge work last for about 10 to 15 years with proper care until they need to be replaced. Dentures only last for five to seven years before a new prosthetic needs to be made. The implants themselves can last for a lifetime.

You can think of a dental implant as a permanent solution for an area where a tooth is missing. Once placed and healed, you will find that this option is far superior to others that might be available to you. The surgery is also relatively quick and is done in-office at your own convenience. Mini implants are also available for areas and patients who would benefit more from a smaller titanium rod.

How Long Does it Take to get a Dental Implant?

Several factors determine the time it takes to have an implant placed.

Phase One Dental Implants

A CT scan remains the first thing to be done to evaluate your current dental situation. If necessary, your old tooth gets removed, and bone can be grafted onto your jaw in preparation for the implant. To preserve the amount of jawbone you have for a dental implant, you should be sure to have the implant done as soon as possible after a tooth loss. This action prevents jawbone loss.

Phase Two Dental Implants

During the second phase of a dental implant, the artificial root becomes placed into the jaw. The procedure takes about two hours. At the end of three to six months, the dental implant, which looks like a screw, will have grown fully into the jaw and you’ll be ready to get your new artificial tooth placed. Dental implants remain one of the fastest healing replacement parts for the body in surgery these days.

Phase Three Dental Implants

A dental crown gets attached to the dental implant during the third phase of the implant process. A model is made of your mouth, and replacement teeth in the form of crowns are created to fit over the dental implant screw. The actual placement of the crown usually takes about two visits that are two weeks apart, to give the crown adequate time to be made.

Most dental implants take from five to eight months to complete the entire procedure. Usually, a dental implant takes three phases until it is finished. Let us take a closer look at the dental implant procedure to get a better look at the time investment you’ll need. After a consultation, Dr. Brian Gurinsky can give you a good idea of how long your dental implant treatment will take.

How Many Years do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are ideal for patients who want to correct areas where one or multiple teeth are missing. Implants are surgically placed underneath the gum line and take about three to six months to fully heal and fuse with the bone. Once healed, the implant acts as an abutment for crowns, bridge work, dentures and partials. Most dental implants that are used are made out of surgical-grade titanium, so the body handles well with the metal being implanted underneath the gum tissue.

With proper care and routine dental checkups, your implant can last a lifetime without needing to be repaired or replaced. Titanium implants are built to withstand a lot of force and pressure, so they are incredibly durable for virtually every patient who has one. The restorations and prosthetics that are placed on top of the implant may need to be replaced more frequently. For instance, a denture should be replaced every five to seven years. A crown or bridge should be completely replaced with a new restoration every 10 to 15 years. While the implant is built to last a lifetime, it is vitally important to have the restorations that are placed on top of the implant checked and replaced frequently to ensure optimal oral health.

Once an implant has been placed, it can take anywhere from three to six months to fully heal into place. This involves the titanium implant fusing with the bone to create a secured abutment for any restoration to be placed on top. During the time that the implant is healing, it is important to keep up with dental appointments with Dr. Gurinsky to ensure that it is healing into place successfully. A successfully healed implant will last for decades without any problem or worries, providing you with a permanent solution to all of your smile woes.

What to Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are often made with surgical-grade titanium and are placed underneath the gum line and into the bone. Over the course of three to six months, the implants will fuse with the bone naturally and create a permanent abutment for crowns, bridge work and even dentures or partials. The procedure is becoming incredibly common in the dental field with millions of people already having been fitted for implants.

Before having implants surgically placed, you will need to have a full consultation and examination to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. While most healthy adults are great candidates for dental implants, there are some exceptions, and this will be discussed during your consultation. X-rays will also be needed to determine the bone’s density as well as the best way to place the implant for a more successful healing. Once you’ve gone through an exam and series of x-rays, you will be scheduled for the dental implant procedure.

You will come into the office and receive anesthesia of your choice for the procedure. For minor implants and less complicated surgeries, local anesthesia can be used. For multiple implants or more complicated procedures, general anesthesia will be recommended and used for your own comfort. The implant is then surgically placed underneath the gum line and into the bone. You may receive sutures that will need to be checked when it is time to take them out. You will go home with aftercare instructions that must be followed in order to improve the chances of your implant healing successfully.

Dental implants can take anywhere from three to six months to fully fuse with the bone and provide a secure abutment for your restorations and prosthetics. Implants are built to last a lifetime with proper care and routine dental examinations.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a wonderful choice when you are missing one or more teeth or if you want a more secure-fitting denture. Most healthy adults are good candidates for the procedure, but there are some exceptions. In order to be considered a good candidate for dental implant surgery, some of these factors need to be met:

• Have healthy bone structure
• Have healthy teeth and gums (no signs of periodontal disease)
• Patients must not have bone density problems
• Patients should not have diseases or disorders that compromise their immune systems
• Patients need to allow themselves three to six months for the implant to heal

In order to fully determine if you’re a viable candidate for dental implants, you need to come into our office for a complete exam and consultation. This will give us an idea of your bone and oral health to determine if dental implants are the right option for you. Most healthy adults who have relatively good oral health are great candidates for the procedure. X-rays are also needed to determine bone health and to find any underlying problems, if they are present.

It is important to note that you should allow yourself three to six months after the implant is placed for it to heal fully. The implant will naturally fuse with the bone of the jaw, providing a stable abutment for crowns, bridge work and even dentures. For some patients, this process is quicker than for others. It is also crucial to come into the office regularly while the implant is healing to have it checked for any problems. In the vast majority of cases, dental implants are placed quickly and heal just as fast. This provides patients with a way to correct missing dentition without having to resort to compromising any of the surrounding teeth.

Your First Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect

You might have been told that you would benefit from a dental implant. These small surgical-grade titanium rods are vital in restoring fullness and beauty to your smile. They are ideal for patients who are missing one or more teeth and who don’t necessarily want to compromise surrounding teeth with other types of restorations. Having an implant placed for the first time may be a bit frightening to you, but it is an incredibly common procedure that is done comfortably and easily in our office. The fact that your new implant will last a lifetime should also put your mind at ease when it comes to the quality behind the restoration used.

Before you have the implant placed, you will come into the office for a full consultation with Dr. Gurinsky. The consultation is the perfect time for you to ask additional questions about the procedure and what to expect before, during and after the implant has been placed. You will also receive an examination of the area that will be receiving the implant as well as a series of x-rays. The x-rays are meant to determine the quality of the bone that will be receiving the implant as well as to check for any underlying problems. You will then be scheduled for the actual surgery and be given instructions before coming in.

The procedure itself involves either local or general anesthesia, which will be discussed during your consultation appointment. A small incision is made into the gums as well as the bone and the implant surgically placed underneath and into the bone itself. Sutures are used to close the incision that has been made. You will receive aftercare instructions on the best way to care for your new implant. You can expect the implant to heal fully within three to six months.