Frequently asked questions about dental implants

What are dental implants? Starlight dental implants are basically sophisticated screws made of a medically pure metal, Titanium. These screws are then placed in the jaw bone and rest under the gum for 3 - 6 months. During this time they actually fuse to the jawbone and become osseo(bone)integrated. After the appropriate healing time, we uncover the implants and use them to replace one or more missing teeth by fabricating some sort of dental prosthesis.

I understand implants originated in Sweden. Is there a difference between the different implant manufacturers?  Today, there are numerous implant companies in use on a daily basis.  Originally all dental implant was produced in USA and Europe.  Now  many  implants are made in Asia (Korea…)..These implants are usually cheaper but don’t have  all scientific  studies research and long term feedback and these implant are now widely use in all south east asia.  At the opposite, most of implants used in Europe or in the United States must meet very stringent requirements. Since 1998, Starlight Dental Clinic use only leading brands of implants from Europe or USA. 

What are implants made of? Implants are made of commercially and medically pure Titanium. This is the same metal that has been successfully used in hip implants for many years. It is inert and is not known to cause any type of rejection phenomenon.

How complicated is the surgery? Implant surgery is done in two stages. The first stage involves the placement of the implants into the available jaw bone. This is most commonly done with just local anesthesia. It is complicated only in the sense that the surgery requires great precision. Every attempt is made to insure success.  Our Starlight dedicates room for implant surgery is set up similar to an operating room, the equipment thoroughly sterilized and the most modern techniques utilized. Minimal postoperative discomfort is usually noticed. You will be given the appropriate antibiotics and analgesics just as a precaution. Very definitive postoperative instruction will be given to you at the time of surgery. If you follow the guidelines, everything should proceed without a hitch.

Can implants be rejected? No! They are made of an inert metal which has no history of rejection by the body. They are not a living organ such as the lung or liver and therefore there is no rejection phenomenon. If failure should occur, and this is only a remote possibility, it is mechanical in nature and not due to rejection by the body. Depending on the source  you read, implants are anywhere from 85-95 percent successful depending upon certain factors such as implant location, amount and quality of bone, your health condition etc. These factors will be evaluated before we place your implants

What types of restorations can be placed on implants? The answer to this question depends upon your treatment objectives. This can vary from simple removable prostheses, using the implants for retention , to totally implant supported fixed porcelain fused to metal crowns and bridges.Implant bridges can be either removable or fixed (not removable) depending upon the number of implants.  

Will I be able to chew and function normally? Yes. Once your implants have integrated, you will be able to function normally without any unusual sensations. Your chewing ability will really depend upon the type of prosthesis you have chosen.
How long is the entire implant process? Dental implants take approximately 3-4 months in the lower jaw and 5 to 6 months in the upper to integrate. Once integrated, it takes several visits to complete the restoration depending upon the complexity.

What is the cost? The cost of implant dentistry is based upon a combination of the surgical phase and the prosthetic phase. Your total treatment fee will depend upon the number of implants and the complexity of your final restoration.