Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why do I need my wisdom teeth removed when they don’t hurt?

Answer: We recommend having your wisdom teeth out before the roots are fully developed. The longer you wait the more developed your roots become which in turn can cause nerve damage. This is rare but can happen the more developed your wisdom teeth become. At times they will erupt through the gums, but you are unable to brush properly due to being so far back in your mouth. This usually leads to dental caries on your wisdom teeth. Over time cysts and tumors can also develop around your wisdom teeth if not taken out during your teens. Overall it is less traumatic and less complicated if taken out before they cause you problems.

Question: What is a dry socket?

Answer: A dry socket is when a clot does not develop or comes out for some reason. Smokers are more prone to dry sockets due to less blood flow to the affected area. The clot develops as a barrier for the socket when a tooth is extracted. We ask that you not rinse, brush your teeth, use straws, smoke or spit for 24 hours after having teeth extracted. Any of these activities can cause the clot to become dislodged which in turn is called a dry socket. Pain medications will not help, you will need to come into the office and have dry socket paste inserted into the affected area to relieve the discomfort. This may need to be done several times until the tissue heals over the open area.

Question: Who is a candidate for dental implant treatment?

Answer: Nearly everyone who is missing one or more teeth and is in general good health is a candidate for dental implant treatment. Quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement is more often a factor for dental implants then medical conditions. However, even people who have lost a significant amount of bone can qualify for dental implant treatment with additional procedures to add or create new bone.

Question: Is the Implant placement painful?

Answer: Most implant patients report that the discomfort is far less then they expected and is much like having a tooth extracted. Although everyone is different with regard to pain tolerance, most patients are very comfortable simply taking Tylenol afterward.

Question: How long do Dental Implants Last?

Answer: Documented clinical research demonstrates that dental implants have been successful for over 30 years. Dental Implants are designed to be permanent; however many factors, contribute to the long term success of implant treatment, such as home care and regular maintenance visits. Dental Implant treatment is one of the most successful procedures in the medical/dental field with documented success rates over 95%. Although successful treatment is very predictable, there are rare occasions where the bone does not completely bond to the implants. When this occurs, new implants are placed, and the success rate for the replacement implants are even higher.

Question: How much downtime is needed for cosmetic procedures?

Answer: As long as it takes for a person to heal from a bruise. Average 1 week.

Question: How long does a facelift last?

Answer: A face lift lasts forever but doesn't stop the aging process from continuing.