Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about dental implants, Smileloc®'s revolutionary screw-free technology, costs, recovery, and more.
General
General questions about dental implants
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Most people who have healthy gums and sufficient bone density in their jaw are candidates for dental implants. However, individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or those who smoke heavily may require additional considerations. Your dentist will evaluate your oral and overall health to determine suitability.
How long does it take to recover from dental implant surgery?
Recovery time varies from person to person. Generally, the initial healing phase after implant placement takes about 1-2 weeks, during which swelling and discomfort are common. Full integration of the implant with the bone can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
What type of maintenance is required after getting a dental implant?
After getting a dental implant, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist for routine check-ups. This helps prevent infection and ensures the longevity of the implant.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. With proper care, they can last a lifetime, although the crown or other restoration placed on the implant may need to be replaced after several years.
Are dental implants covered by insurance?
Dental implant surgery is often considered a cosmetic procedure, so not all insurance plans cover it. However, some plans may provide partial coverage, particularly if the implant is being used to restore the function of a missing tooth. It’s best to check with your insurance provider for details.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
The success rate of dental implants is very high, generally around 95-98%. Factors such as the patient’s oral health, lifestyle, and the quality of the bone where the implant is placed can affect the success of the procedure.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants can vary depending on factors like location, the experience of the dentist, and the complexity of the procedure. On average, dental implants can cost between $36,000 and $45,000.
What happens if I don't get a dental implant?
If you choose not to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, nearby teeth may shift, leading to bite problems or difficulty chewing. Additionally, the bone around the missing tooth may weaken over time due to lack of stimulation.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. After the implant fuses with the bone (a process called osseointegration), it can support a crown, bridge, or prosthesis, providing a permanent solution for missing teeth.
How long do traditional screw in dental implants procedures take?
The procedure is typically done in multiple stages over a few months. The initial surgery to place the implant may take 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity. After the implant is placed, it requires several months to integrate with the bone before the final prosthesis is attached.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
Local anesthesia is used during the procedure as well as IV sedation, so you should not feel pain. Post-surgery discomfort is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Swelling and bruising are also common but should subside within a few days.
What are the risks of dental implant surgery?
As with any surgery, there are risks, including infection, nerve damage, implant failure, or damage to adjacent teeth. However, these complications are rare when the surgery is performed by an experienced dental professional.
Can dental implants fail?
Yes, although dental implants have a high success rate (around 95-98%), they can fail in certain situations, such as if there is infection, insufficient bone, or excessive stress on the implant. Proper care and follow-up visits can reduce the risk of implant failure.
Can I get a dental implant if I have a low bone density?
If you have insufficient bone density, there are procedures, such as bone grafting, that can be done to rebuild the bone before implant placement. Your dentist or oral surgeon will evaluate your bone structure and discuss options to ensure successful implantation.
Can I eat normally after getting a dental implant?
After getting a dental implant, most patients can return to normal eating after a short recovery period, though they may need to avoid very hard or sticky foods initially. Your dentist will provide guidance based on your specific procedure.
Compare Smileloc and Implants
Compare Smileloc and Implants
How much do Smileloc® implants cost compared to traditional screw-in teeth?
Smileloc® costs $17,995 per arch with no hidden fees. Traditional screw-in teeth can cost up to $45,000 per arch over time due to repairs, adjustments, and complications from screw loosening and prosthesis fractures.
Are Smileloc® implants stronger than screw-in teeth?
Yes, Smileloc® implants are significantly stronger. Traditional screw-in teeth have 4-6 holes that create structural weak points, leading to fractures and breaks. Smileloc® has no holes, resulting in a stronger prosthesis that resists fractures and breaks.
How does Smileloc® compare to screw-in teeth in terms of reliability and maintenance?
Smileloc® is more reliable because it won't loosen, strip, or break like traditional screws. Screw-in teeth often require tightening, repairs, and replacement when screws loosen, strip, or break. Smileloc® also makes visits easier with better overall care since there are no screw-related complications.
What's the difference in appearance between Smileloc® and screw-in teeth?
Smileloc® provides a naturally healthy-looking smile with no visible screw holes or cover-ups. Traditional screw-in teeth require 4-6 screw holes in your prosthesis, and the hole covers can discolor, fall out, leak, or cause odors over time.
How does the treatment process differ between Smileloc® and traditional screw-in implants?
Smileloc® treatment is led by a team of specialists at one center with easier visits and coordinated care. Traditional screw-in teeth often require visiting multiple offices with different dental professionals, making the process more complicated and time-consuming.
Recovery
Recovery after dental implant surgery
When can I drink coffee after my Smileloc® surgery?
After the numbness wears off. Avoid hot drinks for 24 hrs.
Can I use a straw after my Smileloc® surgery?
No straws for 3–4 days to protect the clot.
When do stitches come out after my Smileloc® surgery?
Most dissolve in 7–14 days. We’ll remove any others at your check-in.
Do implants set off metal detectors?
No—airport scanners won’t pick them up.
Why is there a critical 4-6 week window after dental implant surgery?
There's a known 'weakest' period when early thread stability is fading and new bone hasn't fully matured yet. This is when implants are most vulnerable, so extra care with soft foods is essential during this time.
When can I eat normal foods again after getting dental implants?
After your clinician clears you, often 8-12 weeks for full integration, you can gradually reintroduce firmer foods. Start small and chew evenly on both sides. Until then, stick to the soft-chew diet timeline: cool liquids for 24-48 hours, fork-tender foods days 3-7, and soft chewables for weeks 2-6.
What should I do if sticky food gets stuck around my dental implant site?
Don't dig with fingers or toothpicks. Rinse gently with lukewarm salt water after meals (start 24 hrs post-op if your doctor allowed). Use a soft baby toothbrush around the area; water flosser on low only after your dentist says it's okay.
Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping and dental implants
Can I vape instead of smoke?
Nope—nicotine is the issue, no matter how you get it. But we’ll help you plan to quit.
What’s a safe A1c for implants?
There’s no magic number, but well-controlled diabetes lowers risks. We’ll coordinate with your physician.
What if I can’t quit smoking?
We won’t leave you hanging. We’ll adjust the timeline or explore other options to help you succeed.
Diabetes
Diabetes and dental implants
What A1c level is safe for dental implants?
People with HbA1c under ~8% tend to have outcomes close to non-diabetics. Above that, healing can be slower and complications rise. Your surgical team will review your latest A1c (ideally within 3 months).
Do I need to stop my diabetes medications before surgery?
SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ertugliflozin) should be stopped 3–4 days before scheduled procedures to reduce rare risk of euglycemic ketoacidosis. Insulin and other diabetes meds need peri-operative dosing confirmed with your prescriber. Always confirm exact timing with your doctor.
How often do I need cleanings with diabetes?
Plan 3–4 month professional cleanings and checks initially, with x-rays as needed. Diabetes is a risk indicator for peri-implant disease—regular maintenance is prevention. Your team will measure the gums around implants and clean the bridge and implant connections.
Procedure
Procedure for dental implants
Will I feel injections under Intravenous Sedation?
Possibly. Conscious sedation leaves you relaxed, but you may still feel pressure and numbing shots.
Why do many surgeons prefer General Anesthesia for full arch implant surgery?
GA gives them better control, better irrigation, and a smoother experience.
Is General Anesthesia safe in a dental setting?
Yes—when done by trained professionals under established safety guidelines.
Who is in the room during my Smileloc® surgery?
Often a 6-person team: anesthesiologist, surgeon, prosthodontist, and trained assistants.
How long before I can chew normally?
Many people chew soft foods within days. Full chewing on your final teeth usually happens after your surgeon confirms integration—often in several weeks to a few months, depending on your plan.
Can I get teeth the same day?
Sometimes, yes. With immediate loading, temporary teeth are attached right after implant placement when stability is sufficient. Research shows comparable outcomes in selected cases, but your clinician will recommend what's safest.
Does smoking really affect implant success?
Yes. Smoking and nicotine products can slow healing and increase the risk of implant problems. Quitting before and after surgery improves outcomes.
What if my body "rejects" the implant?
Dental implants are biocompatible (they're not like organ transplants). If an implant fails to integrate, it's usually a healing issue, not "rejection," and your team will discuss next steps.
What is vertical management in dental implant care?
Vertical management brings all the moving parts under one roof with standardized protocols and a single team accountable for the result. Instead of splitting care between separate offices (surgeon, restorative dentist, third-party lab), everything happens in one place, reducing hand-offs, delays, and confusion about responsibility.
What are the benefits of Smileloc's vertical care model?
The model offers five key benefits: efficiency (fewer visits, faster turnaround), safety (dedicated MD anesthesiologist focuses on airway and vitals), predictability (guided surgery plus prosthodontist-led design reduces remakes), cost control (in-house lab reduces middlemen), and customization (on-site team can adapt plans in real time, often the same day).
Why does having specialists under one roof matter for dental implants?
Having oral surgeons, MD anesthesiologists, prosthodontists, and an in-house lab in one place allows for team training, calibration, and shared protocols. This creates shorter chair time, cleaner hand-offs, and seamless coordination. If adjustments are needed (bite tweaks, esthetic changes, sedation plan updates), they can happen quickly without shipping cases back and forth.
Journals
Journals about dental implants
Can you fix my current bridge without surgery for my full arch implant surgery?
Maybe. If the implants are okay, we might just remake the bridge.
Why didn’t my first dentist use guides for my full arch implant surgery?
Cost and training can be reasons. We’ll show you why guides matter.
How long does a redo take with screw in teeth for my full arch implant surgery?
It could be weeks (for a new bridge) or months (if surgery is needed).
When can I fly after my Smileloc® surgery?
Usually after your first post-op visit. Ask us if you’re unsure.
Do implants go into the sinus?
No. We plan to avoid the sinus entirely. If bone is too thin, we either add bone with a sinus lift or choose graft-less options like short/tilted or zygomatic implants based on your scan.
Is a sinus lift always necessary for full-arch implants?
Not always. Many patients do well with short/tilted implants; others benefit from a sinus lift or zygomatic implants when the bone is severely limited. We decide after imaging and exam.
How successful are zygomatic implants?
Recent consensus and meta-analyses report about 96% long-term survival with appropriate planning and experienced teams; immediate loading can perform very well in selected cases.
What complications can happen with a sinus lift?
Small membrane tears are most common; a minority of patients may have temporary sinus symptoms like congestion. Most issues are treatable and uncommon with careful technique.