Dental implant FAQ

Are there age limits for Dental Implants?

No, there are no upper age limitations and very few medical conditions that prevent successful dental implant treatment. We have provided implants for patients from 21 – 90 years of age.

DO I NEED TO GO INTO HOSPITAL FOR DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY IN WAGGA?

No. Hospital stays are expensive and general anaesthetics increase recovery time. Dental implants are placed at Green Apple Dentistry in our normal treatment rooms under local anaesthetic.

IS THE METAL IN THE IMPLANT SAFE?

Yes. The metal is Titanium. The same material is used to heal broken bones.

IS THE DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE PAINFUL?

No. You’ll be comforted to know that placing an implant is easier than taking a tooth out. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the surgery but if you’re very nervous we have sedative options to make you more comfortable during the procedure.

WILL THERE BE PAIN AFTER THE DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY?

Immediately after the surgery and for a few days you will likely experience some discomfort. However, any pain should be manageable. Rinsing gently with warm saltwater throughout the days following the procedure will help bathe and soothe the tissues and will offer additional relief.

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK AFTER IMPLANT SURGERY?

It’s a personal choice; however, it is possible to return to work the next day after the procedure.

WILL I BE LEFT WITHOUT TEETH?

No, we will provide temporary tooth solutions until your permanent implants are ready to fit.

CAN I HAVE A TOOTH REMOVED AND A DENTAL IMPLANT PLACED THE SAME DAY?

Yes. This is called immediate placement. If there is a lot of infection however, it’s best to remove the tooth first and place the implant sometime later. Both methods work and your specific situation will decide which we do.

DO DENTAL IMPLANTS LOOK LIKE TEETH?

Good implants do, poorly placed implants do not. The skill of the surgeon and dentist enable results that are just like teeth. You may have seen people with implants that do not look good and are worried this will happen to you. With careful planning and use of bone and gum grafting we can avoid or minimise most of these problems.

DO DENTAL IMPLANTS FEEL LIKE TEETH?

You have little sensation from a dental implant, so they feel slightly different from natural teeth. Implants however are much more like teeth than dentures or dental bridges. Often the teeth can be kept separate and can be flossed like teeth. Implant crowns also emerge from the gum like teeth.

HOW LONG DO IMPLANTS LAST?

If cared for properly, the implant screw in your bone may last your entire lifetime. The teeth screwed to the implants are subject to normal wear and tear and require periodic maintenance. Dental implants are currently the longest term and predictable procedure in dentistry.