Dental Implants

“The Best in Dental Health Care”

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants require the dentist to implant a small titanium screw into the jaw bone. It serves as the root replacement that your natural tooth used to provide. We can implant these into the upper or lower mouth. One reason we use titanium is because it fuses with the bone and provides excellent anchoring for your replacement tooth. Dr. Eifler can handle single implants or implants for multiple teeth.

Are Dental Implants Recommended?

Dental Implants are great for many reasons:

• Without the root structure your jawbone may shrink, altering your appearance
• This shrinkage can adjust your facial appearance negatively, making you appear older
• Dental implants are comfortable and very stable
• We expect them to last your lifetime

How Successful are Dental Implants?

Dr. Eifler has great success treating patients for dental implants, both small cases and large. Statistics over the past thirty years suggest that dental implants have a 95% success rate*.

What are the costs of Dental Implants?

Costs depend on varying factors, such as: how many teeth are being replaced and the number of implants required. Dr. Eifler can help you determine these costs after a thorough exam.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

Almost anyone is a candidate for dental implants, if you have a specific need. If you have missing teeth, dental disease, or tooth decay having dental implants may be a great solution for you. Contact AZ Valley Dental and schedule an appointment with Dr. Eifler.

Is there an Age Limit to Dental Implants?

Not typically. If your health is good enough to have a tooth extracted it probably is good enough to have a dental implant. Perhaps more important than your age is your health condition, when considering implants. When evaluating a patient for dental implants we evaluate all factors, including age, health and health history.

Dental Implants versus Dentures or a Dental Bridge

When you lose teeth your jawbone can shrink. Dental Implants can stop the shrinkage of the jawbone when you lose teeth. This shrinkage can make you appear much older. Traditional dentures or a dental bridge does not stop jawbone shrinkage.

Dental Implants preserve natural teeth. When you have a traditional dental bridge installed your dentist must grind down adjacent natural teeth that are used as anchors for the dental bridge. Dental implants do not require you to grind down your natural teeth.

Dental Implants are a permanent solution. Patients report they are comfortable and stable. We expect your implants to last your lifetime.

What are other Benefits to Dental Implants?

Dental implants function like natural teeth in every way. You can eat and chew with dental implants just like they are your natural teeth. They also are natural in appearance, giving you a normal, beautiful smile. Patients have reported increased self esteem when having dental implants.

Tell me about the Time Involved in Implants

Dental advancements are happening every year. One such advancement is the use of Guided Surgical Technique. This method of installing dental implants allows the dentist to put your implants in a single appointment using keyhole surgery. This method increases healing time and reduces patient discomfort compared to typical methods of dental implants.

Typical dental implants can be a three to six month process. Dr. Eifler would initially places the dental implant and schedule your next appointment for three to six months down the road to allow for healing and integration with your jawbone. Dr. Eifler will provide you with a temporary prosthesis in the meantime.

Dr. Eifler will evaluate your overall health, and based on the number of teeth involved and which teeth are being replaced, he will recommend the proper procedure for you. All of this will help Dr. Eifler determine the total number of appointments that will be required.

How Painful is the Treatment?

You may experience discomfort, as with any surgery. The amount of discomfort you experience may depend on how many teeth are being replaced. We will apply anesthesia and sedation to reduce discomfort during the dental implant procedure. Our office can prescribe medications to help you during the healing process afterwards. Feel free to ask us for prior patients who have had implants to gauge their success and happiness with the procedure.

What about Post-Surgery Affects?

Certainly you may expect normal swelling and bruising in the gums and soft tissue areas. Past experience has shown that any discomfort can usually be handled with an over the counter pain medication.

Caring for Your New Dental Implants

As you normally would, you must practice regular dental hygiene to ensure healthy teeth and gums. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing and seeing your dentist twice per year for cleanings and checkups. Other than that, there is essentially no difference between your dental implants and your natural teeth.

Contact Dr. George Eifler and AZ Valley Dental today: (602) 956-2260.

* Results are based on dental bridges and implants remaining in and functioning over a five-year period.