Have A Question?

Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

• Dentures
• Full Mouth Implants
• Snap-In Implant Dentures
• Single Tooth Implants & Bridges

• Q: What types of dentures are there?

  Immediate dentures are placed right away following the removal of your natural teeth. By acting like bandages over your extraction sites, they help to control swelling and bleeding.

   

  Full dentures replace all of your natural teeth in either the upper arch, lower arch, or both.

   

  Partial dentures replace some of your missing teeth in an arch, typically attaching to the surrounding natural teeth for support.

   

  Snap-in implant dentures provide enhanced stability and function by affixing firmly to implant posts inserted during oral surgery.

• Q: What are the advantages of dentures?

  • Improved confidence – You’ll feel great with your new smile.
  • Looks – Dentures look natural and can be customized for each individual.
  • Facial support – Dentures help to fill out areas of the face that sink in after tooth loss.
  • Improved nutrition – Improved chewing ability helps you digest food better.
  • Affordability – Dentures are the most cost-effective way to replace teeth.

   

  Overall, dentures provide an effective solution for restoring your smile and improving your quality of life.

• Q: Will I know how to speak with my new teeth right away?

  This will take some time, but with patience and practice, your mouth and tongue will adjust. S’s will be the toughest to pronounce, so practicing words like “Mississippi” and “sixty-six” will help you get used to your new teeth. In some cases, patients may have a slight, long-term lisp with dentures.

• Q: How long should I take off work for recovery after my procedure?

  Every patient is different. Some can return to work right away, while others wait up to a week or two. The longer you can take off, the better, because there is always the chance of bruising and swelling. You’ll also need time to get used to eating and speaking with your new teeth.

• Q: What are denture adjustments and how often will I need them?

  New dentures will often rub slightly and cause sore spots in the mouth. During a denture adjustment, we’ll identify the spot(s) on your denture that bother you, reduce the pressure they put on the mouth tissue, and smooth them thoroughly. This is normal with all new dentures, and you can expect to need one or more adjustments.

• Q: What items should I have ready for after my procedure?

  Be prepared by having the following things handy post-procedure:
  

   

  • Ice packs
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Washcloths that can be thrown away
  • Soft foods like soups, yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, protein shakes, eggs, and mashed potatoes

• Q: What do I use to clean my dentures?

  Use either denture cleaner or antibacterial hand soap with a denture brush or very soft bristled toothbrush. Clean them at least once a day. You can also optionally soak them in a denture cleanser or use an ultrasonic cleaning device.

• Q: My dentures make my gums sore. What can I do about this?

  Several factors can cause sore gums for those who wear dentures, including high-pressure spots, movement of the denture(s), and the simple act of wearing them.

   

  • High pressure spots – These are normal with new dentures and are typically resolved with simple adjustments.
  • Movement of the denture(s) – This can cause sores on your gums over time, and can be reduced by securing your dentures with implants.
  • Wearing dentures – Dentures are a wonderful replacement for missing teeth, but they can still irritate the mouth after a long day. We recommend setting aside time to remove your dentures and give your gum tissue a break.

• Q: If my dentures are damaged, can they be repaired?

  In most cases, yes. One of the benefits of acrylic dentures is the ease and affordability of repairing them compared to other materials. Usually, repairs can be completed the same day.

• Q: Will there be pain after the procedure?

  Experiences will vary, but you should expect some discomfort and possibly swelling after your procedure. Many patients report very little pain when they come in for their post-op appointment. You’ll be prescribed pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort.

• Q: What is it like getting used to immediate dentures?

  The process will differ for each patient, but does require patience and practice. Your mouth will be experiencing significant changes over the 6-month healing period. It does get easier with time, and we’re here for you throughout the process.

• Q: How do I chew with my new dentures?

  Much like you would normally. To make things easier, you can cut your food up into small pieces, chew small bites, and chew with food on both sides of your dentures to balance out your bite.

• Q: Will I be able to eat with my new teeth from day one?

  Yes! However, you’ll need to maintain a soft diet during the 4-month healing period. That means you can eat anything you can cut with a plastic fork. The reason for this is that maintaining a softer diet during healing allows for the best integration of your implants into your bone, ensuring optimal long-term outcomes. When you’re investing in something that could last you the rest of your life, it’s important to let your body properly heal and adjust without strain.

• Q: What will my final teeth be made of?

  Your final bridge will be made out of zirconia, which is much stronger and more resistant to staining and wear than the traditional acrylic teeth provided by many other dental offices. Zirconia construction means you can expect your new smile to look great for the long-term.

• Q: How long has the full mouth implants procedure been around?

  Portuguese dentist Paolo Malo pioneered this life-changing procedure in the 1990s. Since then, it has been continuously improved upon and performed safely on hundreds of thousands of patients.

• Q: Is there excessive pain involved in this procedure?

  Moderate pain is normal, similar to the pain of dental extractions. However, we use a combination of medications to help control pain and keep our patients as comfortable as possible during and after their procedures.

• Q: What is the recovery time for this procedure?

  This will vary from patient to patient, but in general, recovery is shorter and easier with this procedure than other full arch or full mouth replacement options. This is largely due to the bridges being attached directly to your jaws via your implants. Traditional dentures and implant dentures both require healing periods, during which time the dentures may move and cause sore spots. Any pain should largely subside within a week or two, with complete healing taking around six months.

• Q: How often should I have my new teeth professionally cleaned?

  As with natural teeth, you should come in every 6 months to have your teeth and implants checked and cleaned. This will help ensure the longevity of your new smile.

• Q: What if I don’t like my new teeth?

  We always do everything we can to ensure you love your new smile. Remember that the teeth you get on the day of your surgery are only a temporary set. When we fabricate your final teeth, you’ll have full control over their design and appearance.

• Q: Can I be put to sleep for my procedure?

  We do not currently put patients to sleep during surgery. However, we do offer both oral & IV conscious sedation, which provide a significantly more comfortable and pain-free experience. The medication will also likely prevent you from having any memory of your procedure. Learn more about our sedation options.

• Q: Will I know how to speak with my new teeth right away?

  This will take time, but your mouth and tongue will adjust with patience and practice. S’s will be the toughest to pronounce, so practicing words like “Mississippi” and “sixty-six” will help you get used to your new teeth. In some cases, patients may have a slight, long-term lisp with upper-teeth dental implants.

• Q: Are my All-On-4 bridges removable?

  No, you will not be able to remove your bridges yourself. Only the dentist is able to remove them, as they are secured to your implants.

• Q: What items should I have ready after my procedure?

  Be prepared by having the following things handy after your All-On-4 procedure:

   

  • Ice packs
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Washcloths that can be thrown away
  • Soft foods like soups, yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, protein shakes, eggs, and mashed potatoes

• Q: How long should I take off work for recovery after my procedure?

  All-On-4 tends to have the shortest time required before returning to work of all the full-arch replacement options. In general, 4–7 days is sufficient, but it’s always better to take more time off to allow bruising and swelling to subside, and so you can get used to eating and speaking with your new teeth.

• Q: How many implants will I need?

  A minimum of 4 implants are needed for an upper denture, while a lower denture requires at least 2 implants. Increased implant numbers enhance denture stability, with 3 or 4 implants generally providing better support for lower dentures than 2.

• Q: Can food get under my implant denture(s)?

  Yes, any prosthetic in the mouth will get some 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.

• Q: I’ve had dentures for a long time. Can I still get implants?

  In many cases, yes! We’ll just need to see you for a free consultation, during which we will perform a 3D CBCT scan of your jaw to determine whether you have enough bone for dental implants.

• Q: How long should I take off work for recovery after my procedure?

  Every patient is different. Some can return to work right away, while others wait up to a week or two. The longer you can take off, the better, because there is always the chance of bruising and swelling. You’ll also need time to get used to eating and speaking with your new teeth.

• Q: Are implant dentures really secure?

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

• Q: How often will my implant inserts need to be changed?

  Typically once or twice per 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 other factors.

   

  To reduce wear on your inserts, it’s important that you never bite your dentures into place on your implants. Instead, only place your implant dentures by hand.

• Q: Are implant dentures removable?

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

• Q: How long will I bleed after the procedure?

  Most bleeding will have stopped before you leave our clinic. However, you can expect to have some slight bleeding (oozing) for 1–3 days following the procedure. You will also likely notice increased salivation when we first put your denture(s) in. When this increased saliva mixes with a small amount of blood, it can look like a lot. If heavy bleeding persists, please call us.

   

  A tried-and-true remedy that works well to help clotting is the use of tea bags. Dampen a regular tea bag, wring out the excess water, and place it on your extraction site(s). The tanic acid in the tea leaves will help you clot. Multiple tea bags can be used—just replace the tea bags as they become saturated with blood. This process can be repeated as often as needed.

• Q: What is involved in maintaining implant dentures?

  • Snaps – You’ll need to change out the snap rings in your implant dentures periodically. These lose their retention over time as you take your teeth in and out, but are quick and affordable to change out.
  • Cleanings – As 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.
  • Re-fittings – Your mouth will continue to change over time, so your dentures will need to be re-fitted to ensure optimal performance and avoid unnecessary stress on your implants.
  • Home maintenance – Take your dentures out once or twice per day and brush them with a denture brush or soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t forget to clean your implants with a soft brush, as well.

• Q: Can implants fail?

  Titanium dental implants have a 95+% success rate, but can still fail in rare cases. Some factors that can cause them to fail include:

   

  • failure to integrate into the bone
  • smoking
  • diabetes

   

  If an implant fails within the first year, your dentist will replace it.

• Q: Will I know how to speak with my new teeth right away?

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

• Q: Am I too young for this procedure?

  No, this is not just a procedure for the elderly. In fact, it’s quite common for people in their 40s, 30s, even 20s to need to replace their teeth, and doing so can be hugely beneficial to your overall health. Having teeth that allow you to confidently smile, laugh, and converse can also greatly enhance your emotional wellness at any age.

• Q: Do I need an implant for each of my missing teeth?

  It depends. Every case is unique, so we’ll need to see you for a consultation to determine the best course of treatment for you.

• Q: What is the process for getting an implant?

  The process is very straightforward. Your implant is placed into your jawbone and left to integrate for 4–6 months. After this, we take impressions and have your tooth fabricated. If bone grafting is needed, this can increase treatment time.

• Q: Is my implant removable?

  No. Once your implant has been placed, you will not be able to remove it.

• Q: Can I be put to sleep for my procedure?

  We do not currently put patients to sleep during surgery. However, we do offer both oral & IV conscious sedation, which provide a significantly more comfortable and pain-free experience. The medication will also likely prevent you from having any memory of your procedure. Learn more about our sedation options.

• Q: Am I a candidate for dental implants?

  Most people are candidates for dental implants, even those who have been told they weren’t in the past. Call us to schedule your consultation and we’ll determine the best course of action to get you smiling again.

• Q: What kind of aftercare will I need to perform with my dental implants?

  You’ll need to care for your implant teeth just as you would natural teeth. This means brushing and flossing twice per day and getting regular cleanings at intervals recommended by your dentist.

• Q: What do implant teeth look like?

  Implant teeth look almost exactly like natural teeth. The implant body won’t be visible in the mouth—it sits under the gums, in your jawbone.

• Q: Will it feel and function like a natural tooth?

  Yes! It will feel different from a natural tooth, but will function the same.

• Q: Do you offer this procedure with zirconia (non-metal) implants?

  Currently, we do not offer this type of implant. Titanium implants have been around for decades with a long track record of success. In contrast, zirconia implants are very new to the market, and we don’t yet know what their long-term success will be like. We want the most predictable and successful results for our patients, which is why we don’t offer zirconia implants at this time.

• Q: How long should I take off work for recovery after my procedure?

  The majority of patients are able to return to work either the same day or the next day, though you may require additional time off work in certain cases.

• Q: Can implants fail?

  Titanium dental implants have a 95+% success rate, but can still fail in rare cases. Some factors that can cause them to fail include:

   

  • 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.

• Q: How long will I bleed after the procedure?

  You may continue to bleed slightly for the first 24 hours after your implant placement. If you feel that you are bleeding more than you should be, please call the clinic.

   

  A tried-and-true remedy that works well to help clotting is the use of tea bags. Dampen a regular tea bag, wring out the excess water, and place it on your extraction site(s). The tanic acid in the tea leaves will help you clot. Multiple tea bags can be used—just replace the tea bags as they become saturated with blood. This process can be repeated as often as needed.