Dental Implant FAQ

Will my new teeth look and feel natural?

When expert dental implant surgery from Dr. Stout is coupled with expert and modern restorative care by your dentist, implants will mimic the appearance, comfort, and chewing function of natural teeth. Implants are likely to exceed your expectations, and it will be hard to tell them apart from your natural teeth.

How long does it take to complete treatment?

If you are already missing teeth or have hopeless teeth that need to be removed, it is often possible to remove teeth, place the implants, and secure fixed provisional teeth all in one day. Once the implants are fully healed, a beautiful final prosthesis can be made to your exact desires for tooth size, color and position.

Most implant treatments take 4-6 months to complete. If a complex treatment plan requires significant jawbone reconstruction, it can take as long as 16 months. Your particular case may involve several surgical steps and accompanying healing intervals. Careful planning and wise treatment option choices are critical for your success. There is no value in rushing through the treatment steps only to end up with a compromised result.

At your consultation, we will review your treatment options and outline the expected time frame to complete your treatment.

How long do implants last?

Implants last a long time. Under normal circumstances, dental implants can be expected to last about as long as natural teeth. The earliest implant patients have had over 45 years of success. Long-term studies show over a 95 percent long-term success rate. The rate varies depending on the location within the mouth and density of the bone.

Do I have to go without teeth during healing?

You will never have to walk around with no teeth. During all healing intervals you can wear temporary teeth replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth. Some ideal situations may even allow a temporary crown or implant bridge to be placed immediately after implantation.
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Am I a good candidate?

Dental implants can improve the quality of life for almost everyone who is missing one or more teeth. If you desire to obtain the benefits of dental implants, you are probably an excellent candidate. Patients in their teens and in their 90s have been successfully treated. Your actual age is not a risk factor, and we never turn any patient away just because of advanced age.

If teeth have been missing for many years, there may be a need for bone reconstruction in order to achieve a successful implant result. The several options for bone or tissue augmentation will be presented at your consultation. Most are very minimally-invasive and add little to your recuperation. If you have been told there is “not enough bone” to do implants, don’t believe it! With modern surgical techniques, we can grow more bone and help you become an excellent candidate.

Many of the factors that decrease implant success rates can be corrected before treatment. Smoking, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, severe osteoporosis, and certain medications are concerns that can be discussed at consultation. We also delay implant treatment on young children until the facial skeleton has completed growth.

How do I clean and maintain the health of my implants?

As with natural teeth, it is important that you clean implants with a toothbrush, floss, water pik, and other recommended aids. You should also visit your restoring dentist at least twice each year for hygiene and maintenance. We will go over all the important hygiene techniques when you meet us for consultation.

Does dental implant treatment hurt?

Dental implant procedures are a breeze. We can keep you completely comfortable throughout your treatment. Every procedure can be performed while you are sound asleep,

The recuperation from implant treatment is surprisingly mild, and usually causes only mild postoperative discomfort and only a day or two of down time. If more extensive bone grafting is performed, the recovery can be longer, but seldom is severe. We always prescribe medications to keep you comfortable after treatment.

How will dental implants affect my life?

Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. Dental implants will improve your quality of life. Once unsightly or missing teeth are replaced, your smile will get bigger and wider, and your food enjoyment can return. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.

What are the potential problems?

Complications are rare. An implant or bone graft can become infected and may need to be removed. But after the site heals, another implant can usually be reattempted successfully. A perfect esthetic result may be difficult to achieve, especially if the gum tissues have receded. Where needed, we do touch up surgery or grafting to improve the gums surrounding the implant.

The general risks of dental implant surgery are similar to those described for extraction of teeth. There is a chance of minor complications such as infection, sinus floor injury, nerve injury (resulting in numbness), or prolonged recuperation. Serious complications are extremely remote, and the potential is related to your general health. The particular risks of your planned procedure will be discussed at your consultation.

How much do dental implants cost?

Every person’s situation of tooth loss is unique; so treatment needs are different for every person. It is not possible to estimate the treatment costs without a thorough examination (our consultations are complimentary if you do not have dental insurance). We will explain your treatment options and give you an estimate of your expected insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs. You will know the costs before you commit, and there will be no surprises. For treatment that involves several stages, the total cost does not need to be paid up front.

Since dental implant treatment involves procedures performed by Dr. Stout and your restoring dentist, you should be careful to make sure that you have an accurate estimate from both doctors who will be involved in your care. The treatment done by your restoring dentist will include fees for temporary and final implant restorations.

Dental implants are the most cost-effective treatment over the long term, even though dental implant costs are about 25%-30% higher than fixed bridges. Their exceptional reliability and remarkable long-term success rate of (over 95%) is vastly superior to fixed bridges, where failure often causes the loss of more teeth and a more compromised final outcome.

No matter how simple or complex your treatment plan is, we have financing options to allow you to start treatment and pay over time. It is more affordable than most people think.

Does my insurance cover implants?

Certain dental insurance plans will pay benefits for implant surgical procedures, and some cover the restorative treatments only. Medical insurance will sometimes cover treatment to replace teeth that were lost due to accidents or tumors. We offer a complimentary benefits check and will assist you in estimating your out-of-pocket costs after we evaluate your insurance coverage.

How do I get started with dental implants?

We invite you to call us for an initial consultation in either:
Camarillo (805) 389-9500 or
Oxnard (805) 981-8144.
New patients are always welcome, and we do not require a referral from your dentist or your insurance company. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss your needs and help you decide if dental implant treatment is right for you.

Dental insurance will generally cover the cost of your consultation and maybe the needed CT scan. If you do not have dental insurance, your consultation is complimentary.