What is an Implant?
A dental implant is used to support one or more false teeth. It is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it fails. Just like a tooth root, it is placed into the jawbone.
Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?
It depends on the condition of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist will arrange for a number of special tests to find out the amount of bone still there. If there is not enough, or if it isn’t healthy enough, it may not be possible to place implants without grafting bone into the area first.
Is it Expensive?
The procedure can involve a significant investment and fees can be determined after records and an examination is completed. However, cost of implants at Cosmozone is competitively prized in comparison with both local and international costs.
Is there discomfort involved?
Just as with any surgery, there can be some discomfort; however, at Cosmozone, local anaesthesia and patient sedation are used to eliminate any discomfort at the time of the procedure. Approximately 95 percent of patients report discomfort of 0-2 on a scale of 0-10 the day after the implants is placed. The doctor will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur. Special care will be taken to stay in contact with you after the surgery to be sure that you remain comfortable. The surgery will not hamper any tour plans you may have on the following day.
How long does it take?
Complete treatment can take from 3 to 9 months, depending upon haw many teeth need replacement, presence of bone grafts and the patients’general medical condition. It should be understood that this procedure is advanced and can be a longer process than usual to assure its success. We do, however, provide patients with temporary teeth during this time frame. AT NO TIME are you without teeth unless you elect to do so.
Is there a chance of Rejection?
The body does not reject a dental implant, as it might a soft tissue transplant, such as a lung, heart or kidney. This does not mean that an implant cannot fail, but it would be due to other factors, such as misalignment, improper force on the implant, excessive smoking or alcohol intake following implant placement or other conditions/diseases of the patient. Dental implants are made of a material, titanium, that is totally bio compatible (compatible with body tissues) and actually integrates with the surrounding bone and becomes part of the body. Titanium is also being used more and more in the medical field to replace body parts.
How long should one expect to be off work?
Generally, we recommend the day of and the following day after surgery, that no strenuous exercise be done. You can expect to be slightly swollen. The amount of time off required is an individual decision.
Who is a candidate for Implants?
Anyone who is missing one or more (even all) of their teeth may be a candidate for implants. If one or a few of the teeth are missing, implants in conjunction with a crown or bridge can replace those teeth and function as normal teeth without losing more bone and being subject to decay. If all or most of your teeth are missing, then implants may be placed to anchor a loose denture. Sometimes, if there is already some bone loss, bone can be added and regenerated or a technique called bone expansion can be used to create a more ideal site for the implant(s). More detailed information and images are available from the treatment menu. Ultimately, a consultation with a dentist who is knowledgeable on these procedures can help determine your individual needs.
Do implants hurt?
Placing an implant is often easier than taking a tooth out and is usually done using a simple local anaesthetic. You will not feel any pain at the time, but just like after an extraction, you may feel some discomfort during the week after the surgery. Sometimes your dentist might give you a sedative if you are very nervous or if the case is a complicated one. General anaesthetics are rarely used for implants and are generally only used for very complicated cases or when multiple implants are to be placed.
What about aftercare?
Your dentist will give you instructions on how to look after your implant. They may give you some painkillers after the surgery – or check whether you have them at home – to take over the next few days if you need them.
Where do I get this treatment?
Talk to your dentist, so they can refer you to an experienced ‘implantologist’ for assessment and treatment. Your dentist may already carry out some or all of this type of treatment and will give you the advice you need. Remember to ask:
- exactly what treatment is proposed
- what experience the dentist has in this work
- the total cost of the treatment
- What the alternatives are.
Make sure you get a treatment plan, along with an estimate, and ask if a guarantee is included for your treatment. If you are unhappy with any of the answers you get, then do ask for a second opinion. You will be spending a lot of time, effort and money, so you must be sure that you know what you are getting at the end of the treatment. Cosmozone has internationally trained and certified surgeon/dentist to provide state-of-the-art implant care with the greatest comfort and affordable pricing. We hope you will consider us while choosing to have dental implants placed in you.
