After Implant Placement

A number of treatment options that satisfy your specific dental needs are available after the placement of implants. We realize how important it is for patients to feel secure in their appearance and in their chewing function while wearing temporary restorations during the implant healing process. Dr. Shroyer and Dr. Moore use state-of-the-art techniques to ensure that you never have to go without teeth during this time. He works closely with your general dentist during this transition period. They have a shared goal: to make sure that you have beautiful teeth that function correctly.

If you are missing all of your teeth and you desire implant-retained teeth, Drs. Shroyer or Moore can provide immediate teeth replacement on the day of your implant surgery. Patients no longer have to go without teeth. Modifications to your present denture or the fabrication of a new temporary denture to fit over the healing implant areas are treatment options as well.

What Can I Use For Teeth While The Implants Heal?

There are a myriad of treatment options available that can be tailored to your specific needs. A temporary removable tooth or a temporary bridge can be fabricated by a lab if you need a tooth replacement while the implants are integrating and the tissue is healing. Modifications to your present denture or the fabrication of a new temporary denture to fit over the healing implant areas are treatment options as well. If you prefer a nonremovable replacement option during the healing phase, temporary transitional prostheses can be made and placed at the time of surgery.

What Are The Potential Problems?

Post-operative pain is minimal following the placement of dental implants. Most patients return to work and regular activities the next day. However, pain medication, as well as antibiotics, will be prescribed in order to ensure a comfortable recovery. Occasionally, patients develop post-operative infections that require additional antibiotic treatment. While Drs. Shroyer and Moore takes great care to place each implant precisely and accurately, adjacent teeth may be injured in the placement process.  A risk of nerve damage which could affect sensation to your lower lip and chin is possible when placing implants in the lower jaw because of the location of the nerve in the mandible. Certainly, if you are missing a significant amount of bone, the surgical placement of an implant may be tedious as the implant placement may infringe upon the nerve space. Drs. Shroyer and Moore makes every effort to avoid the area of the mandibular nerve, but if it is irritated during the surgical procedure, you may experience tingling, numbness or intermittent sensation in your lip, chin or tongue for several weeks. Usually these altered sensations will resolve in time, however, they can be permanent and/or painful. Please notify Drs. Shroyer or Moore of any post-operative numbness as soon as possible.

How Long Will The Implants Last?

Properly selected and placed dental implants should last a lifetime. Should a dental implant placed by Drs. Shroyer or Moore fail for any reason, they provide a 100% replacement guarantee at no cost to you.  This is an extraordinary warranty is reflected by years of implant placement experience and confidence in the implant product that is provided. Drs. Shroyer and Moore exclusively place Straumann dental implants which are manufactured in Switzerland.

When Are The Replacement Teeth Attached To The Implant?

The replacement teeth are usually attached to the implant after 8-10 weeks of healing has occurred and your jaw bone has firmly fused to the implant. A variety of factors determine this timeline, but it is possible to begin the restorative phase of treatment immediately or shortly after the implant placement. The appropriate treatment sequence and timing will be assessed by Drs. Shroyer or Moore after your consultation.

The dentistry required to complete your treatment is complex. Much is happening behind the scene by your general dentist and the dental lab before the surgery takes place.

Your restorative treatment begins with specialized impressions that allow us to produce a replica of your mouth and implants. We take a “bite” registration to reproduce the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. With this information, we will make abutments that attach your replacement teeth to your implants. A number of abutment options ranging from metal to gold to ceramic are available. Certainly, customized abutments made of gold or ceramic may increase the cost and treatment time of your case.

The number of appointments and the amount of time required for each appointment varies from patient to patient. No two cases are exactly the same. It is imperative that you keep each scheduled appointment so that your restoration can be placed in a timely fashion.

If you are having only one or a few teeth replaced, as few as 3 short visits may be needed at our office.  Between appointments at our office, a lab will be fabricating the final restoration and you will return to your general dentist for your new teeth.

How Do I Clean My New Teeth?

You will maintain your implant-supported restorations in the same manner as your natural teeth: twice daily toothbrushing and flossing. You should visit your general dentist several times a year for deeper cleaning. As with traditional dental restorations, your implant components are subject to wear and tear and over the years crowns, abutments and screws may eventually require replacement.  Your implant(s) should remain encased in bone and should last your lifetime.

Will One Doctor Do Everything?

As Oral Surgery, Drs. Shroyer and Moore are specialists who perform your implant surgery and any other necessary surgical procedures like bone or soft tissue grafting. Your general dentist provides the temporary and permanent replacement teeth that fit over the implant. Both doctors coordinate your course of treatment to provide you with the best of care.

How Much Does All Of This Cost?

Before treatment begins, every effort will be made by our office to give you an accurate estimate of all expenses involved in placing the implants necessary for your final restorations. Initially, there is a charge for the diagnostic work-up which includes study models, X-rays, and the creation of a surgical template for the placement of the implants. You will also be charged for the abutment or support posts.

Additional fees will be incurred through the office of your general dentist who is responsible for the temporary and final restorations. In other words, you are charged separately for the services rendered in our surgical office and in the general dentist’s office. We can assist you in estimating the the cost of your total treatment in our office after evaluating your insurance coverage or other third party provider. Please consider your personal financial investment in the various treatment options as some insurance companies offer limited or no coverage.

Dental implants were developed over 40 years ago, but have only been the treatment of choice for most general dentists in the recent decade. The skill sets of dental providers have caught up with the technology of implantology. Dr. Shroyer has been providing the surgical placement of dental implants since 1988.  He has placed over 17,000 implants.  Should an implant placed by Drs. Shroyer or Moore ever fail, they will replace it at no cost to you! Now that’s a promise few oral surgeons in the metroplex will make.  When investigating the effectiveness and cost of dental implants, there are several important points that should be considered.

Longevity

The longevity of the dental implant over traditional tooth replacement methods like bridges and dentures should be a major consideration when deciding on the course of treatment for repairing broken or diseased teeth.

Dentures and bridges are initially less expensive than implant-supported restorations, but their affordability is too often short-lived. These older methodologies of treatment require frequent repair and replacement over a 5-10 year period. In fact, they are actually more expensive over time.  By contrast, dental implants that are properly placed and cared for last a lifetime in over 95% of patients.

Jaw Bone Health

Once a tooth is lost from the disease, injury, or extraction, the jaw bone that once supported that tooth deteriorates and changes shape. The bone height and width decrease under a denture or bridge and the patient experiences ill-fitting restorations and, at the same time, a visible collapse of the mid-face. This results in the distortion of a person’s facial features and face shape, which may lead to additional cosmetic costs.

On the other hand, dental implants, made from titanium, actually integrate into the jaw bone, strengthening and stimulating bone growth. This relationship between implant and bone supports the cheeks and lips helping to preserve the natural profile of the face.