FAQs

• Upper —An upper implant denture requires at least 4 implants.
• Lower —A lower implant denture requires at least 2 implants, although 3 or 4 typically provide a significant improvement in retention and stability.
• We highly recommend 4 for optimal function. We have found that patients prefer the increased stability and function, giving them greater overall satisfaction, confidence, and happiness in their everyday life.

No! We only place standard, full size dental implants at our clinic. These have a much higher success rate and will last much longer than mini implants.

Please proceed with caution at any office recommending mini-dental implants as a permanent solution. They have a very high failure/complication rate.

We have our prices listed for everyone to easily understand and know what they are getting.  To see all our prices please click here.

In many cases, yes! We’ll just need to see you for a free consultation, during which we will do a 3D CBCT scan of your jaw to see if you have enough bone for dental implants. Our doctors have done 1000s of implants and are very skilled at providing stable, long term implants even in cases with limited bone.

No, we must allow time for your implants to integrate with your bone. This is what makes your implants truly stable and will help ensure you enjoy many years of use from them. We typically wait between 4 and 6 months before attaching your denture to your implants.

While experiences will vary, you should expect some discomfort and possibly swelling after your procedure. Many patients come in the next day for their post op appointment reporting very little discomfort. You will be prescribed pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort.

We offer many levels of sedation ranging from nitrous (laughing gas) to full IV sedation. For nitrous, you will not need a driver. It can be administered in office with immediate recovery. Oral sedation (a sedative pill) is given in the office and allows a significant reduction in anxiety. Many of our patients do not remember the procedure at all. IV sedation is administered at our office and allows for the greatest level of sedation and comfort. NOTE: You MUST have a driver after you have taken your oral sedation pill(s) or IV sedation. You MUST NOT operate a motor vehicle or any machinery after taking your medication

Yes! They are much more secure than dentures alone, and we are able to increase the retention with stronger inserts if you prefer.

Most patients with 4 implants in the upper arch are able to have a large portion of the palate (roof of the mouth) removed from their denture. This increases the ability to taste for many patients, and also increases hot and cold sensitivity, making for a more natural experience. For those patients with a severe gag reflex, getting an implant denture without the palate can provide relief.

Implant inserts are nylon rings that insert into your snap-in denture. Over time, the nylon can wear out. Most patients get these replaced once or twice a year. This will depend on how many implants you have, how strong your bite is, how frequently you take your dentures in and out, and several other factors.

WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT BITE DOWN ON YOUR DENTURES TO SNAP THEM INTO PLACE ON YOUR IMPLANTS! This will wear out your inserts significantly faster. Only place your implant dentures in by hand.

Alveoplasty is a procedure where the doctor contours your jawbone. This procedure is important because it can significantly improve the fit and comfort of your dentures.

Tori are bony knots that naturally develop in the mouth of some people. They are not harmful, however, they can prevent your denture(s) from fitting comfortably, so your doctor will often recommend having them removed.

This is completely normal when you first have a prosthesis (denture) placed in your mouth. Your body senses it as a foreign object and is trying to “flush” it out. This increased salivation should subside within 2-3 days.

Significant bleeding will have stopped before you leave the clinic, however, expect to have some slight bleeding (oozing) for 1-3 days after the procedure. Additionally, you will most likely notice increased salivation when we first put your temporary denture(s) in. When this increased saliva mixes with a slight bleeding, it can look like a lot of blood. If heavy bleeding continues, please call the office.

An old home remedy that works really well to help clotting and stop bleeding is the use of tea bags. Just get a regular black tea bag, dampen it with cool water, squeeze out the excess water, place it on your extraction site or sites, and the bag will help you clot. Multiple tea bags can be used, if needed. Replace the tea bags and repeat the process as many times as you need.

We do not currently offer this type of implant. While titanium implants have been around for decades with a long track record of success, zirconia implants are very new to the market, so we do not know what their success will be like long-term. We want the most successful, most predictable long-term results for our patients, and for these reasons, we do not offer zirconia implants at this time.

Yes, any prosthetic in the mouth may get a small amount of food under it. The great thing about implant dentures is how easy they are to clean. Just take them out; clean the denture(s), your gums, and implants; and snap them back in.

Every patient is different. Some return to work the next day, others wait a week or two. This also depends on your type of work. Some factors to consider when taking off work are:

• The chance of bruising and swelling in the days immediately after surgery
• The time you’ll want to allow you to get used to eating and speaking with your new teeth

Soft liners are cushions that we place in your denture periodically while you heal. They fill in the spaces between your gums and dentures and they also give your gums some cushioning. They help your dentures fit and feel better.

No, this is not just a procedure for the elderly. It’s actually quite common for people in their 40s, 30s, even 20s to need to replace their teeth. Replacing bad teeth can be hugely beneficial to your overall physical health. Also, having teeth that allow you to confidently smile, laugh, and converse can be very beneficial to your emotional health. Again, needing to replace teeth throughout life is not uncommon at all.N

• ice packs
• wash cloths you don’t mind throwing away
• comfortable clothes you don’t mind staining
• soft foods such as:
  • soups
  • yogurt
  • cottage cheese
  • smoothies
  • protein shakes
  • eggs
  • mashed potatoes (gravy optional)

Just as you would need practice in order to get used to functioning with a prosthetic leg, it will require some practice and patience to get used to your new prosthetic teeth. With that being said, since they are attached with implants, your dentures will be much easier to get used to than regular dentures.

Again, this will take a little time, but with some patience and practice, your mouth and tongue will quickly adjust. S’s will be the toughest to pronounce. Practicing words like “Mississippi” and “sixty six” will help you get used to your new teeth. In some cases, patients with implant dentures may have a slight, long term lisp when saying certain words.

Some patients may experience very slight rocking with their dentures. For patients who have 2 lower implants, these must be placed in the front of the jaw making it possible for some rocking to occur. A dab of adhesive at the back on each side of the lower denture will usually take care of this.

In this case, your best bet would either be snap-in implant dentures or All-On-4 Full Implant Bridge.

Yes. Having removable implant dentures makes cleaning them very convenient. Just take them out, clean the denture(s), your gums, and implants, and snap them back in.

While titanium dental implants do have a 95+% success rate, yes, they can still fail. Some of the things that can cause them to fail:

• failure to integrate into the bone
• smoking
• diabetes

If an implant fails within the first year, your dentist will replace it at no charge to you.

• Implant inserts (snaps).Periodically you’ll need to change out the nylon snap rings in your implant dentures. These wear and lose retention over time as you take your teeth in and out. They’re quick and affordable to have changed out.
• Cleanings. Just like with natural teeth, you’ll need to have your implants cleaned periodically. Any buildup on your implants will be removed and your dentures will be cleaned.
• Periodic re-fittings. Your mouth will still change as you age, so your dentures will need to be re-fitted to ensure their best performance and ensure that unnecessary stress isn’t being put on your implants.
• Home maintenance.It only takes a few minutes a day. Take your dentures out and brush them with a denture brush or very soft bristled toothbrush. Also, don’t forget to clean your implants. You should also scrub these with a very soft dental brush.