Services - Dental Implant FAQ

Serving St. Louis and Surrounding Communities

Q: What is a dental implant?
A: A dental implant is a small cylinder made of titanium, a material which is extremely compatible with body tissues. Dental implants serve as the foundation for the replacement missing teeth.

"I would recommend Dr. Boyle to anyone who wants dental care of the highest quality."
- AS, Biochemist, Chesterfield, MO

Q: How do dental implants work?
A: Dental implants are placed in the jaw to serve as man-made roots. Your natural bone fuses with the implant to create a rock solid connection that exceeds the strength of a natural tooth-to-bone connection. This fusion of implant and bone is called osseointegration. The implants serve to support crowns, bridges or dentures when replacing missing teeth.

Q: How long have dental implants been used to replace teeth?
A: The original dental implant technique was developed in Sweden in 1952. Dental implants were first placed in humans in 1965, and the procedure was introduced to North America in 1984. Dental implants have had FDA and American Dental Association approval for over 20 years.

Q: Does Dr. Boyle place the implant and then build the teeth that attach to them?
A: Dr. Boyle will refer you to a specialist, Periodontist or Oral Surgeon, for implant placement. Dr. Boyle will design and place the restorations that go on the implants. In order to achieve the best results, it is crucial that a high degree of cooperation and communication exist between the restorative dentist, the surgeon and the patient. Dr. Boyle has successfully restored hundreds of dental implants and he can refer you to the finest implant surgeons in the St. Louis area.

Q: Is everyone a candidate for dental implants?
A: With today’s technology, almost everyone is a dental implant candidate. Evaluation of your needs and goals are carefully considered. As the implant restorative dentist, Dr. Boyle will assess functional and esthetic concerns. He will also examine you on a regular basis following completion of treatment to ensure your oral health is properly maintained. Dr. Boyle will refer you to the implant surgeon, who will assess your oral anatomy to be certain you are a good candidate for a successful implant result. Analysis of each prospective implant patient is critical and may involve special x-rays.

Q: How much pain is involved with dental implants?
A: Dr. Boyle says that in over 20 years of working with dental implants patients, everyone says dental implants are virtually pain-free during and after their placement.

Q: How long is the healing time for dental implants?
A: There are two phases to dental implants. The first is surgical placement and the second is restoration. After implant placement, it typically takes 1-4 months for the implants to fuse with your natural bone. The restoration phase can take an additional 1-2 months, depending on the number of implants, the complexity of the case, the condition of the supporting bone, and the type of restoration planned for the implant.

Q: What are the advantages of dental implants over the other ways of replacing missing teeth?
A: Over the 40+ years dental implants have been in use, the following have proven to be true:

• Patients say dental implants are virtually PAIN-FREE DURING & AFTER PLACEMENT.
• Dental implants are extremely RELIABLE & LONG LASTING.
• Implants are FREE-STANDING; they do not depend on neighboring natural teeth for support.
• There is NO LONG RECUPERATIVE TIME as with orthopedic implants (such as artificial hips and knees).
• Two most common patient comments:
  "THEY DON’T HURT" and
  "IT FEELS LIKE I GREW MY TEETH BACK."
• And last but not least, dental implants CANNOT GET DECAY!!

Please see our Smile Gallery for un-retouched photographs of some of Dr. Boyle’s implant cases and Contact Us today for more information and to set up a confidential consultation.

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