Implants Q: Are implants suitable for one tooth or many? Dr. Tanners: Both. They can provide an excellent replacement for one or many teeth. Q: Is the procedure painful? Will I be in pain after my implants are fitted? Dr. Tanners: Most of our patients tell us that implant placement is less painful than a routine extraction. Medication is available and is routinely prescribed. Q: How long do implants last? Will I need to get them replaced? Dr. Tanners: Implants can last up to twenty years or more, depending on your general health and the quality of your oral hygiene. Q: Do they look real? Dr. Tanners: By utilizing the cosmetic procedures available to us today, implanted teeth can look as natural as original teeth. Q: What are the contra-indications for having an implant? Dr. Tanners: The quality of the remaining bone as well as many medical conditions may contra-indicate the placement of implants. All of this will be personally addressed. Q: Can implants fail? Dr. Tanners: Of course. However, there is a 95 percent success rate for lower implants, and a 90 percent success rate for upper implants, in a healthy non-smoking patient. Smoking compromises healing and dramatically reduces the success rate.

Bridgework Q: When would you recommend bridgework instead an implant? What’s the difference? Dr. Tanners: If your teeth are healthy and unrestored on both sides of the missing tooth or teeth, an implant is the restoration of choice. If the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are compromised, a bridge may be preferable. Every situation is unique, and a solution may comprise of a combination of procedures. We present options wherever and whenever possible.

Veneers/Laminates Q: How long do veneers last? Dr.Tanners: Depending upon your oral hygiene, they can last twenty years or more, although the tissue around them can change. Q: Will they break or stain? Are they strong? Dr.Tanners: Veneers and Laminates are more resistant to staining than are our natural teeth. They are very strong and normally do not break or crack. Q: If I only have one tooth requiring a veneer, will it make all my other teeth look worse? Should I have more than one even if it’s not needed? Dr. Tanners: Veneers work especially well together in the front, and can make a dramatic improvement to your smile. If only one tooth is to be veneered, we will ensure it matches the surrounding teeth, to keep a natural appearance. However, if the tooth in question is a central incisor (front tooth), it is it is advisable to do both at the same time, in order to achieve the optimum cosmetic result. Because they are bilaterally symmetrical and a visual focal point, they should match perfectly in color and contour. It also depends on why the veneer is being constructed and which tooth is to be restored. If it is for restorative purposes only, and is not a central incisor, than one may be adequate. If however, the veneers are being constructed for cosmetic enhancement or tooth lightening, the six to eight front teeth must all be restored. Q: When do you use veneers as opposed to bonding? Dr. Tanners: Today, bonding is only used to correct small or minor fractures, chips or spaces. Cosmetic enhancements and restorations of a larger nature are generally done with veneers.

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays/Composites Q: When is a crown used in place of an inlay or onlay? Dr. Tanners: Inlays/Onlays are more conservative restorations, and are used when less tooth structure needs to be restored. A crown may be necessary when there is more damage to the tooth structure. And, in some cases, a core build-up of the tooth structure may be necessary to properly retain a crown.

Old Silver Fillings Q: I am considering having all of my silver fillings removed and replaced with composite or porcelain. Is this something you do? Dr. Tanners: If your fillings are not worn, defective or leaking, and are in proper occlusion (correct bite), you do not need to have them replaced. However, many of our patients opt to replace them with natural-looking, tooth-color restorations, in order to improve their smiles and strengthen teeth. We recommend replacement if they are not functioning properly, or if you want a beautiful silver-free smile, but never as the solution to a medical condition, such as migraine headaches.