What’s the old saying? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. According to Dr. Martin at Martin Taylor Dentistry, that appears to be the case with many of the ads you’ve been seeing about Dental Implants in a Day. Bottom line? There is a one day appointment where the  implants and temporary teeth are placed. However, there are multiple appointments that lead up to that “day” and many appointments to follow.The teeth-in-a-day are temporary until the bone adheres to the implant (~4 months). Also, according to Dr. Martin, the claims that most dental insurance plans cover one-day implants are simply not true.
Dr. Martin and Dr. Taylor are both trained and experienced in implant placement and restoring the implants. Implants can be placed and allowed to heal without a crown on them or they can heal with a temporary crown on them.  In either case, follow-up visits are necessary to get the final, permanent crowns placed. The only thing better than a Dental Implant is the natural tooth itself.

What to Expect When Getting Dental Implants at Martin Taylor Dentistry

Obviously, there is not a single scenario that fits every case. A few of the variables Dr. Martin and Taylor need to consider as they advise their patients considering implants are:

• How many teeth need to be replaced? One? A few? Or a whole mouth full?
• What is the integrity of the bone in which the implant will be placed?
• Is bone grafting needed? If so, can a small amount of grafting be done at the same time the implant is placed? Or is more extensive bone grafting necessary, in which case an additional 4-6 months of healing time is needed prior to the implant being placed.
• Is the tooth to be replaced in the front of the mouth or in the back?
• Is there a damaged tooth that needs to be removed before the implant can be put in?
• What is the general health of the patient?

So let’s take a case of a healthy middle-aged woman with a cracked front tooth. On her first visit, Dr. Martin would take a digital x ray to determine the integrity of the bone. He finds that no bone grafting is needed. So in that first visit, he removes the cracked tooth and places the implant into the bone. The patient is given a removable “flipper” or false tooth to fill the empty space for the 4 months needed for the implant to adhere to her jaw bone. After four months she returns to have a permanent porcelain crown placed on the implant.

Other Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants

Is getting dental implants painful?

Numbing medicine is given locally during the procedure and conscious sedation can be given to patients if desired. Afterward, an over the counter pain medication is all that is usually needed for any post procedure pain.

How many appointments are needed? How long will each appointment take?

Generally, the first appointment to place the implant, takes about 2 hours. The second appointment, needed to take impressions for the crowns, takes about an hour. And then the third and final appointment, to place the permanent crowns, also takes about an hour.

Is it expensive?

Without any dental insurance, the total cost for the dental implant, the abutment, and the crown at Martin-Taylor Dentistry ranges from $3000 to $4500. We have kept the cost of a single implant about the same as for a bridge to replace a single tooth.