As oral surgeons, we are often confronted with many questions about dental implant therapy. The majority of these questions relate to how much will a dental implant cost and is the procedure associated with pain. These questions may be the most common but, are they the best questions to ask when learning about this dental procedure?

The cost of a dental implant is a concern for patients for good reason. This treatment option has long been associated with an increase in expense, time and complexity. Not to mention, the issue of secondary costs for the abutment and crown which are required to utilize the implant. Its important to remember that the initial cost and time may be more with a dental implant however, the longterm advantages generally outweigh these issues. Consider the alternative to a dental implant is a 3 unit bridge. This option involves reshaping adjacent teeth to replace one or more missing teeth. This type of treatment often has a shorter "dental" life span due to the affected teeth becoming decayed or loose. When this occurs the bridge either needs to be replaced or removed in its entirety. Often patients become frustrated because they find their costs are now magnified and the number of teeth requiring replacement increasing as well. This does not mean a bridge is always contraindicated nor does it mean that dental implants are perfect. It simply illustrates that focusing on a less expensive option initally, can prove costly in the future.

What about the second question we are often asked, "is placement of a dental implant painful?" To address this we rely on patient testimonials. The majority of patients will state that dental implant placement is easier and less stressful than having a tooth removed. Why? Because dental implant placement is a very controlled and precise procedure that does not involve extensive manipulation of surrounding tissue. Often, we have prepared the area for a future implant at the time the tooth was removed (see our bone grafting section) thus making implant placement easier. Again, this is not every case and you can probably envision that some situations are more involved that others but, the majorty of the time, the dental implant is a relatively benign experience.

In our next section we will highlight what questions patients should be asking about dental implants.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a dental specialty. To become an oral surgeon, a clinician must first attend dental school and pass the requisite dental board examination. Post-doctoral training in oral surgery, however, is generally linked to the hospital setting. It is this hospital based training that has greatly expanded the scope of our specialty. Often the public is not aware that oral surgeons play an integral role in many clinical areas beyond simply removing teeth and placing dental implants.

One example of this training is in the area of facial trauma management. As clinicians, we repair complex facial fractures involving the eye, nose and cheek bones in additon to the upper and lower jaw region. In addition, oral surgeons are often involved in the repair of soft tissue lacerations involving the lips and other cosmetic areas of the face. Providing these emergency services highlights why our specialty offers a very unique yet, vital component for trauma patients.

The surgeon's at Southwest Oral Surgery are well-trained and knowledgeable in handling all aspects of our specialty. However, our skills in facial trauma management provide an additional clinical component that benefits all our patients. To learn more about what we do check out our procedures section of our website.

Is anyone ever too old to improve the quality of their life? The correct answer should be no.

Utilizing dental implants as a means to stabilize replacement teeth has become very predictable in older individuals. Yet, many times those in this particular patient group consider themselves "too old" for treatment.

The human body does not stop the dynamic repair and remodeling sequence vital to bone health simply because of advancing age. Though not everyone in this age group is a candidate for implants, the majority tolerate the procedure well. In addition, this treatment option may hold powerful anti-aging effects. Stable teeth improve oral intake and nutrition which supports physical health. Cognitive and psychological benefits are derived when one can speak and interact with others naturally without fear their teeth will "move" or worse come out of the mouth.

To highlight one example, a nun in her late 90's was referred for 2 implants to be placed in the lower jaw (stabilizing a lower denture). She did not ask if she was "too old."  In her mind this was a logical step to improve her overall health. The implants were placed in one office visit under local anesthesia. She tolerated the procedure well and her teeth are now an integral part of her overall health.

The baseball player Satchel Paige once said of aging, "How old would you be, if you didn't know how old you were?" Dental implants provide the benefit of making one feel more youthful which most would agree enriches the quality of life.

Our patients often ask, "what would you do," when considering their treatment options. This question usually arises when discussing replacement of missing teeth with dental implants. Another example involves the patient and his/her decision on whether general anesthesia should be part of a treatment or surgery. Fear often complicates making a final decision as well.

This topic is explored at length in the book, "Your Medical Mind." Here physicians Jerome Groopman and his wife, Pamela Hartzband, offer a road map to guide one's medical decision making. Their approach is known as, shared medical decision-making, and involves both the doctor and patient reviewing the options and risks and then customizing treatment according to the patients needs and values. The authors note that when a patient wants to know what their doctors think, the answer should be offered once all the information has been presented in a neutral way.

As oral surgeons, we make every attempt to follow this philosophy. Only when all the options and alternatives have been discussed do we offer our opinion. We have found our most successful outcomes result when the patient is an informed and active participant during his or her treatment.

At Southwest Oral Surgery we strive to inform as well as care for our patients. This portion of our website will highlight information and topics that are specifically related to certain areas of Oral Surgery. Think of this as an extension of our frequently asked questions page. Here you may find information specific to a particular topic important to you as a patient or the family member of a patient.

Also, we plan to highlight from the patient perspective what it is like to "undergo" some of the procedures you may read about.

Feel free to browse our archives and email us with questions you may have. Thanks for stopping by.

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