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Frequently asked

The questions patients ask us most.

Grouped by topic. Each answer is written by our team. Where helpful, you’ll find a short video walkthrough alongside the text.

01 · 6 questions

Dental Implants

The questions we hear most often from patients considering single, multi-tooth, or full-arch implant treatment.

How long do dental implants last?

Implants are designed to last decades with proper maintenance. Long-term studies show 90-95% survival at 10 years for properly placed implants in healthy bone. Maintenance — both professional cleanings and home care — matters as much as the surgery itself.
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Do dental implants hurt?

Implant placement is performed under local anesthesia, often with sedation if you prefer. Most patients describe post-op discomfort as less than they expected — comparable to a tooth extraction. We provide a specific medication regimen and aftercare instructions.
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Can I get an implant the same day as my extraction?

In selected cases, yes — this is called immediate implant placement. Whether it is appropriate depends on the reason for extraction, the bone available, the condition of the surrounding gum, and patient factors like smoking. Some cases benefit from waiting weeks or months to let the site heal first.
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Do I need bone grafting before my implant?

Many patients do — especially if the tooth has been missing for some time or was removed because of infection or fracture. Bone grafting is routine in implant practice and can often be done at the same visit as the extraction or implant placement.
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What's the difference between an implant and a bridge?

A bridge uses the two adjacent teeth as anchors and requires trimming healthy enamel from them. An implant stands on its own — no adjacent teeth involved. Implants preserve the bone where the missing tooth used to be; bridges do not.
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Does insurance cover dental implants?

Some dental plans cover a portion; many do not, or cover only the crown. Medical insurance occasionally contributes when tooth loss is from accident or specific medical conditions. Our team reviews your specific coverage during the consultation.
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02 · 6 questions

Full-Arch & Missing All Teeth

For patients missing all upper or lower teeth — or facing that decision because of failing dentition.

Is All-on-4 the same as full-arch implants?

All-on-4 is one specific full-arch implant approach using four implants. Full-arch is the broader category, including approaches with four, five, six, or more implants depending on what your case requires. We use the implant count that gives the bone and bite the best support — not a marketing number.
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How many implants do I need for a full arch?

Most upper-arch cases use four to six implants. Lower-arch cases sometimes use as few as four. The number depends on bone volume, bone quality, bite forces, and whether you grind your teeth. We plan from the case, not from a template.
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Can I leave with teeth the same day?

In selected cases, yes — same-day temporary teeth are routine when bone, implant stability, and tissue conditions support it. Patient-specific exceptions apply, and we will tell you honestly at consultation whether your case is a same-day candidate or whether staging gives you a better long-term result.
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What's the difference between full-arch implants and dentures?

Traditional dentures rest on the gum and often become loose as bone shrinks over time. Full-arch implants are anchored in the jaw and prevent the bone loss that comes with long-term denture wear. Fixed full-arch implants are not removed by the patient; implant-supported overdentures are removable but much more stable than traditional dentures.
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How long does full-arch treatment take?

Most full-arch cases take three to six months from implant placement to final teeth. Same-day temporary teeth allow you to function during that healing window in selected cases. The exact timeline depends on bone integration, soft tissue healing, and case complexity.
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Am I a candidate if I have significant bone loss?

Often, yes. Bone grafting, sinus lifts, and modern implant techniques can make implant treatment possible in many cases of bone loss that would have been told 'no' a decade ago. The CBCT at your consultation tells us what is and is not possible for your specific anatomy.
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03 · 6 questions

Gum Disease & Periodontal Care

What a periodontist treats, how gum disease progresses, and when surgery is — and is not — the answer.

What does a periodontist do that a general dentist doesn't?

A periodontist completes three additional years of surgical specialty training beyond dental school. They focus on the soft tissue (gum) and hard tissue (bone) that supports teeth and implants — including diseases of that tissue, surgical regeneration, and advanced grafting.
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Can gum disease be reversed?

Early gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed with professional care and improved home routine. Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) involves bone loss that does not regrow on its own — it can be stopped and stabilized, and in selected cases regenerative procedures can restore some of what was lost. Earlier is better.
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Do I need a referral to see a periodontist?

No referral is required, though most patients come to us referred by their general dentist. If you are concerned about your gums, bleeding, recession, or a tooth that feels loose, you can schedule a consultation directly.
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Will I need gum surgery?

Not always. Many patients are managed entirely with non-surgical periodontal therapy. Surgery is reserved for cases where non-surgical care has plateaued, where access to deep pockets requires it, or where regenerative procedures can rebuild lost bone. We will tell you plainly whether surgery is or is not on the table.
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What is LANAP and how is it different from traditional gum surgery?

LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) uses a specific laser to remove diseased tissue and bacteria while preserving healthy tissue. No scalpel, no sutures, faster recovery for most patients. Not every gum disease case is a LANAP candidate — we evaluate at consultation.
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How often will I need maintenance after treatment?

Most periodontal maintenance patients are seen every three to four months. The interval is set based on your case stability, not a one-size-fits-all schedule. We coordinate with your general dentist so it fits into your routine dental care.
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04 · 5 questions

Comfort, Sedation & Anxiety

If fear is the reason you've been delaying care, this section is for you.

What sedation options do you offer?

Nitrous oxide (light sedation, awake), oral conscious sedation (deeper relaxation, may have limited memory), and IV sedation (light sleep state, ideal for longer surgical cases). We discuss the right option for your specific procedure and medical history at consultation.
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Will I be asleep during surgery?

Depending on the option chosen. Nitrous and oral sedation keep you awake but relaxed. IV sedation can produce a light sleep state where you drift in and out, while still breathing on your own. General anesthesia (full unconsciousness) is not used in our office for routine cases.
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Do I need a driver after sedation?

Yes for oral conscious sedation and IV sedation. Not required for nitrous oxide — the effects wear off within minutes of stopping the gas.
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Is IV sedation safe?

When performed by a properly trained provider with continuous monitoring and proper case selection, IV sedation has an excellent safety record. We review your medical history thoroughly before any sedation appointment.
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I have severe dental anxiety. Can you help?

Yes. Many of our patients come to us specifically because they have been avoiding care for years. We pace appointments, explain every step, and use sedation when appropriate. Anxiety is not the reason to delay care that you already know you need.
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05 · 5 questions

Consultations, Costs & Insurance

What to expect at your first visit, how we discuss costs, and what your insurance does and doesn't cover.

What happens at my first appointment?

Medical and dental history review, clinical exam, imaging where indicated (3D CBCT for implant cases), discussion of findings, and a written treatment plan with options. You leave knowing what is going on, what your choices are, and what each option involves — including timing and cost.
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How much does treatment cost?

Costs vary significantly by case. A single dental implant runs differently than a full-arch reconstruction. Periodontal therapy varies by the stage of disease and the procedures involved. We provide a written estimate at the consultation, with insurance coordination if applicable.
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Do you take my insurance?

We work with most major dental insurance carriers and provide insurance coordination as a courtesy. We are not in-network with every plan; if we are out of network with yours, we can usually still file claims on your behalf and help you understand what your plan covers.
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Do you offer financing?

Yes — we work with third-party financing partners to make extended payment options available for patients who want them. Specific terms depend on the partner and your credit; details are discussed at consultation.
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What if I want a second opinion?

Welcome it. Most major treatment decisions benefit from a second opinion, especially for full-arch reconstruction or advanced periodontal cases. We can either be your second opinion or recommend other specialists if you're starting with us.
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06 · 5 questions

For Referring Dentists

Common questions from general dentists, restorative dentists, and other specialists who refer cases.

How do I submit a referral?

Use the secure referral form on the Referring Doctors page, or call the office directly. We respond to routine referrals within one business day and handle urgent referrals same-day.
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Do you keep my patient or send them back?

We send your patient back. Our role is the periodontal or surgical phase. The restoration — the crown, bridge, or final denture — belongs in your practice. We coordinate timing and communicate at every stage.
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What do you need from me to evaluate a case?

Patient name and contact, brief case description, any imaging you have (CBCT, panorex, periapicals), and an indication of urgency. For full-arch or implant cases, your treatment plan for the final restoration helps us plan surgical position accordingly.
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How do you handle urgent referrals?

Call the office directly. Acute periodontal abscess, implant pain or mobility, trauma — we make space same day when we can. The secure form is for routine and semi-urgent cases.
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Do you do continuing education for referring offices?

Yes — we host periodic lunch-and-learn sessions and case-review meetings for referring doctors and their teams. Topics include recession management, implant planning, peri-implantitis, and full-arch case workup. Contact the office to be added to the invite list.
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Have a question we didn’t answer?

Ask us directly — we’ll get back to you within one business day.