Questions
1. What are the benefits of dental implants? Answer
2. Does your office remove wisdom teeth? Answer
3. Will it hurt to get dental implants? Answer
4. How long will it take to get dental implants? Answer
5. Will I be without my teeth when I get dental implants? Answer
6. Are dental implants as strong as natural teeth? Answer
7. How successful are dental implants? Answer
8. Is treatment available for failed implants? Answer
9. Am I a candidate for dental implants? Answer
10. Is age a factor for getting dental implants? Answer
11. What can I eat after I get a dental implant? Answer
12. What is an implant-supported bridge or All-On-Four®? Answer
13. Why do Wisdom Teeth need to be extracted? Answer
14. Why are Wisdom Teeth extracted in the Teenage Years? Answer
15. What is a CEREC crown? Answer
16. Why are my teeth sensitive? Answer
17. What is the difference between oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery? Answer
18. What does your office offer for dental insurance and billing? Answer
Answers
1. What are the benefits of dental implants? Questions
• Dental Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth.
• Dental Implants look and function like a natural tooth and can enhance the ability to chew food.
• Dental Implants improve appearance and can increase self-confidence.
• Dental Implants are maintained by routine hygiene visits to your dental office.
• Dental Implants decrease the possibility of bone loss, periodontal disease, tooth movement, and further tooth loss.
• Dental Implants replace the need for a Removable Full or Partial Denture.
• Dental Implants replace the need for a tooth-supported bridge because they focus only on the tooth or teeth that are missing. This traditional bridge would involve cutting into the two or more adjacent teeth to create a false tooth in between.
2. Does your office remove wisdom teeth? Questions
Yes. Dr. Miller has years of experience and has removed thousands of wisdom teeth. We can help you have a comfortable experience with the use of local anesthetic and IV Sedation for this and other dental procedures. Our technologically advanced office uses 3D imaging which is vital in the planning of your surgery to help minimize the risk of potential complications.
3. Will it hurt to get dental implants? Questions
Most dental implant procedures are easier than having a filling placed. When we see patients for follow up visits, most of them tell us how surprisingly comfortable the appointment was.
4. How long will it take to get dental implants? Questions
Implants can often times be placed at the time of your extraction. If bone grafting and healing is required, your implant can typically be placed in four to six months following extraction. Most of the time required to place a final tooth on the implant is waiting for the bone to fuse completely with the implant. This usually takes a few months and goes on below the gum line without any feeling or awareness. In more complex cases treatment may be longer.
5. Will I be without my teeth when I get dental implants? Questions
No, we will always provide a way for you to enjoy your smile. In some cases a temporary tooth can be placed at the same time as the implant. In other cases, dentures or partials can be worn over the implants while the implants heal. The temporary teeth will be made prior to the removal of the existing teeth.
6. Are dental implants as strong as natural teeth? Questions
Yes. In many cases, implants are considered as strong or stronger than natural teeth and provide full functionality. Implant teeth often become the patients’ favorite teeth. They are no longer prone to cavities. After treatment, patients will be able to enjoy their favorite foods while benefiting from a healthy, aesthetically-pleasing smile.
7. How successful are dental implants? Questions
Implants have been successfully placed since the 1950's. With ongoing technological advancements and more durable implant materials, ten-year success rates have been reported at 93 percent or better.
8. Is treatment available for failed implants? Questions
Although implant failure is considered rare, it can occur. In these cases, the area can be grafted and often replaced with another implant.
9. Am I a candidate for dental implants? Questions
Anyone who is healthy enough to undergo a tooth extraction is likely a suitable candidate for dental implants. Your doctor will determine whether or not this treatment is right for you after a complete physical exam and evaluation of your medical history.
10. Is age a factor for getting dental implants? Questions
Once a person has reached adulthood, there are no age limitations for dental implants.
11. What can I eat after I get a dental implant? Questions
It is extremely important to drink lots of fluids and get adequate nutrition. We recommend a soft diet during the integration phase and avoid foods with small particles, i.e. seeds, popcorn, nuts.
12. What is an implant-supported bridge or All-On-Four®? Questions
An implant-supported bridge is a full-arch restoration that can be immediately placed on as few as four implants. It is an excellent permanent solution for those that suffer from a mouthful of missing or failing teeth. It is the premier treatment option that allows you to smile, chew and speak naturally.
13. Why do Wisdom Teeth need to be extracted? Questions
Wisdom teeth are usually the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and usually emerge in the late teens or early twenties. The extraction of wisdom teeth is warranted when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum or even remain trapped beneath the bone.
Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth.
The most serious problem occurs when cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. When wisdom teeth are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems.
14. Why are Wisdom Teeth extracted in the Teenage Years? Questions
To avoid problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure it is wise to have the wisdom teeth extracted in the late teens. This is when the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully developed, the surrounding bone is softer and there is less chance of damaging nearby nerves.
Removal of wisdom teeth later in life becomes more complicated as the roots are more fully developed, may impinge on crucial nerves, and the bone surrounding the teeth becomes more dense with age.
15. What is a Cerec® Crown? Questions
A crown is a dental restoration that covers or caps a tooth to restore it to its normal shape, size and function. A crown can restore a tooth when there isn’t enough natural tooth structure remaining to support a filling. A crown protects a weak tooth from fracturing, restores a fractured tooth, conceals a badly shaped or discolored tooth, or covers a dental implant.
With powerful software and advanced equipment, we can quickly custom-design a tooth-colored Cerec® crown that is milled in our office. This custom Cerec® crown is precisely color-matched to the rest of your smile. Cerec® uses digital impressions, computer CAD/CAM design and a precise milling machine to help complete the entire process in about 2 hours from start to finish - all in one appointment! No messy impressions, no temporaries and no return appointments.
16. Why are my teeth sensitive? Questions
Sensitive teeth often occur when your gums have receded. This recession can be due to gum disease, clenching or bruxing, or even aggressive tooth brushing. The recession causes the underlying dentin to become exposed. This exposed dentin becomes sensitive to temperature and brushing, and is more prone to decay. To manage this, there are a number of toothpastes, gels and even some dental products that can be applied. In some instances, a filling is placed to protect the area and decrease sensitivity.
17. What is the difference between oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery? Questions
Oral surgery is performed on the mouth and maxillofacial surgery is performed on the jaw.
Dental surgery due to oral disease or trauma is extremely common. Dr. Miller’s expertise allows him to perform most types of oral surgery procedures including surgical extraction on abscessed teeth, , bone grafting, , periodontal surgery on gums including gingival graft, recontouring of excessive or uneven gums and flap surgery right in his office. Occasionally, a case will need to be treated by a maxillofacial surgeon or oral surgeon.
18. What does your office offer for Insurance and Billing? Questions
Convenient Financing Options
Dental treatment is an excellent investment in your medical and psychological well-being. Financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining important health services. Being sensitive to the fact that our patients have different financial needs while reaching their dental health, we provide the following payment options:
• You receive an 8% courtesy adjustment for payment in full with cash/check at the start of treatment.
• We accept your Visa/MasterCard and American Express/Discover cards.
• We offer you a selection of Flexilble Monthly Payment Solutions with Interest Free Options (See Care Credit below)
• We welcome your dental insurance. Dental insurance is a private arrangement between you and the insurance company. We are happy to help you maximize your benefits and as a courtesy to our patients, we will submit your dental insurance claims on your behalf. You will be expected to pay an estimated portion at the time of treatment. We ask that you keep us updated with your current insurance information so we may accurately bill your insurance in a timely manner.
• We partner with you to find a good fit for your budget while achieving your dental health.
Care Credit
We are pleased to offer our patients Care Credit, North America’s leader in patient payment plans. Care Credit Dental Payment lets you begin your treatment immediately and pay over time with payments that fit in your budget.
Care Credit functions like a credit card, but is exclusive for your dental care services. Because there are no up-front costs and no pre-payment penalties, you can pay over time. This frees up your cash and credit cards for the other things you want and need. Care Credit offers low monthly plans for healthcare procedures not commonly covered by insurance, including dental treatment. Plus, you can use your card to pay for other members of your family that also have dental needs.
Benefits of Financing Your Dentistry Needs:
• Low minimum monthly payments that fit your budget
• No-interest financing if paid within 12 months (Additional plans may be available)
• No up-front costs or pre-payment penalties
Ready to apply? Click below and apply online today:
You’ll be smiling bright in no time. Questions about our financing options? Please call our office at 509.276.1992