Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about the surgical procedures, treatments or services that we offer? Below are some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to call our office at 513-791-0550 if you need additional information. We are always pleased to assist you.

Implants

Q. What are dental implants?

A. Dental implants are basically sophisticated screws made of a medically pure metal, Titanium. These screws are then placed in the jaw bone and rest under the gum for 3 - 6 months. During this time they actually fuse to the jawbone and become osseo (bone) integrated. After the appropriate healing time, we uncover the implants and your dentist may use them to replace one or more missing teeth by fabricating a dental prosthesis.

Q. Who is the ideal patient for dental implants?

A. Anyone in reasonable health who wants to replace missing teeth. You must have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth to provide for the anchorage of the implants. Almost everyone today is an excellent candidate for dental implants to replace small bridges, removable partial dentures and even just one missing single tooth.

Q. What are implants made of?

A. Implants are made of commercially and medically pure Titanium. This is the same metal that has been successfully used in hip replacement for many years. It is inert and is not known to cause any type of rejection phenomenon.

Q. Can implants be rejected?

A.No. They are made of an inert metal which has no history of rejection by the body. They are not a living organ such as the lung or liver and therefore there is no rejection phenomenon. If failure should occur, which is only a remote possibility, it is mechanical in nature and not due to rejection by the body. Depending on the source you read, implants are anywhere from 85-95 percent successful depending upon certain factors such as implant location, amount, and quality of bone, etc. These factors will be evaluated before we place your implants. If you have any questions regarding this or any other aspect of the implant process, ask your oral surgeon.

Q. What about infection and complications?

A.During the surgery every attempt is made to maintain a sterile field. This tends to minimize any potential of postoperative infection. After the procedure you may be prescribed an appropriate antibiotic as a precautionary measure. Once the implants have been engaged in your prosthesis, it is imperative for you to maintain proper oral hygiene.

Q. Will I be able to chew and function normally?

A.Yes. Once your implants have integrated, you will be able to function normally without any unusual sensations. Your chewing ability will really depend upon the type of prosthesis you and your dentist have chosen.

Q. How long is the entire implant process?

A.Dental implants take approximately 3-4 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper jaw to integrate. Once integrated, it can take several visits to several months to complete the restoration depending upon the complexity.

Q. Why must I fast prior to surgery?

A.Anesthesia depresses the normal gag reflex that prevents solids and liquid matter from entering your lungs. The reflux of material from the stomach into the trachea and lungs is called aspiration. Fortunately, the incidence of aspiration is quite low. Assuring that the stomach is as empty as possible prior to anesthesia is a mainstay in reducing the incidences of aspiration. This has been routinely accomplished by having nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the day of surgery.

Q. What are some risks of anesthesia?

A.The rate of complications will vary with the health status of the patient and the magnitude of the procedure. The common side effects of general anesthesia include nausea, muscle aches and shivering postoperatively.

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