Dental Implants FAQ

Dental implants are typically categorized based on the way they are placed. There are four different ways in which this placement happens, as described below:

• Two-Stage Implants – A two-stage procedure involves one surgery to place the implant into the jaw bone, and then another surgery several months later to attach an abutment and temporary restoration.
• Endosteal Implants – Placed in the jaw bone, endosteal is the most commonly used type for two-stage implant procedures and is typically placed as an alternative to a bridge or removable denture.
• Single-Stage Dental Implants – A single-stage procedure involves surgically placing a longer implant into the jaw so it is on the jaw bone, leaving the implant healing cap visible. After several months of healing, the abutment and temporary restoration can be attached without the need for minor surgery.
• Subperiosteal Implants – Rarely ever utilized today, subperiosteal implants are placed on the jaw bone within the gum tissue, with the metal implant post exposed to hold a restoration in place.

The benefits of dental implants include the following:

• Dental implants look and function like natural teeth
• Dental implants significantly prevent bone loss in the jaw
• Dental implants restore smiles so well, your confidence is sure to go up
• Dental implants don’t have to rely on surrounding teeth like dental bridges do
• Dental implants are easy to clean and take care of
• Dental implants, unlike other tooth replacement options, stay put while in the mouth and are not subject to sliding or clicking
• Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to livening up your smile

A full-mouth dental implant treatment is the best method to replace all the teeth in one or both jaws. When getting this type of involved treatment done, you want to make sure that you consult with a board-certified dentist with ample experience in the area. A full-mouth dental implant treatment includes the following:

• A detailed diagnostic and planning stage that will take a few weeks to complete and involves X-rays, CT scans, virtual planning, mock-ups, a smile design, and more!
• The placement of six to eight dental implants in the upper jaw
• The placement of four to six dental implants in the lower jaw
• The fabrication of a fixed temporary bridge or bridges
• The fixed placement of natural-looking porcelain teeth through screws or dental cement

Since dental implants are often considered a cosmetic dentistry solution as opposed to a necessity, some insurance plans will cover some costs of dental implants, and some will not. At the office of Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC, we will go over the extent of your restorations prior to the procedure to ensure it is something you want to invest in. Here are some other scenarios to consider when it comes to inquiring about paying for your dental implants through insurance:

• You may want to contact your medical or dental insurance providers to gain a better understanding of what is covered through your plan.
• If your insurance does cover dental implants, don’t forget to review your plan’s annual limit since there may be additional out-of-pocket payments that will need to be made.
• Keep in mind that more and more insurance plans are starting to cover certain parts of the dental implant procedure since it is likely that medical issues could arise from tooth loss.