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2417 Welsh Road Philadelphia, PA 19114

Current Patients (215) 969-8080

New Patients (215) 372-1142

Dental Implants FAQ Philadelphia, PA

Do I have to replace my missing teeth?

It is actually very important that you replace your missing teeth. Not only can it lead to a drop in self-esteem but it can also impact your oral health. Once a tooth is missing, the bone in that area will begin to deteriorate. Over the years, the lower half of the face will begin to collapse, adding years to your appearance.

A void in a row of teeth will cause teeth to shift. Additionally missing teeth can lead to jaw misalignment and increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Drew Shulman, your trusted Northeast Philadelphia dentist, will recommend filling gaps in your smile using dental implants.

What exactly are dental implants?

A dental implant is made up of three parts. The implant itself is a metal screw-like post that is made of titanium. A dentist will secure this part to your jawbone with oral surgery to replace the root of the missing tooth. The next part is a small piece called an abutment. It will screw right onto the implant post and sit at the gum line.

The last part is the dental restoration. The kind of restoration you will need depends on how many teeth you are replacing and where they are in your mouth.

How many teeth can dental implants replace?

Dr. Shulman can replace just one, several, or even all of your teeth with dental implants.

Is there a chance my implants will fail?

Dental implants hold more than a 95% success rate. Proper oral hygiene is the key to their success. After the implants are in place in the bone, they must have a healthy environment to heal.

There are rare occasions when the implant does not completely fuse with the surrounding jawbone. If this happens, we’ll have to remove the implants and allow the site to heal. We can usually place another implant once the site is ready again.

How long does it take to complete treatment?

The length of time it takes to complete the implant treatment will vary greatly depending on the needs of the patient. In general, the process takes four to eight months but can take much longer for complex cases. If you need a bone graft, gum disease treatment, or any other pre-treatments, then the treatment time will take much longer.

After a consultation, Philadelphia dentist Dr. Shulman will create a treatment plan where he will be able to give you an estimated time frame. This will fluctuate based on healing times.

What are mini dental implants?

Mini implants are a great option for patients with an insufficient amount of jawbone available to hold a regular implant. They are smaller than a regular implant, ranging from 1.8 to 3.3 mm in diameter. The abutment is already attached to it which will eliminate a second surgery that is typically needed to attach an abutment.

The surgery to place them is faster and you will heal faster as well. They are also less expensive than a regular implant.

How do I take care of my dental implants?

One of the best things about dental implants is that they don’t require any extra care. You simply brush and teeth your teeth as you would normally. Continue your bi-annual dental visits to make sure that everything is going smoothly. If there are any issues that arise, your dentist will be able to catch them early.


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