Kenneth E. Lang, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Questions relating to Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Implants are natural looking replacements for missing teeth. The implant itself is a post that attaches to your jawbone. This post provides an anchor for your general dentist to place crowns, bridges or other restorations.

We are experts in the placement of dental implant posts. Dental implants begin with an evaluation by your general dentist who will decide if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

For more detailed information, please see the section entitled "Dental Implants".

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Do implants work as well as natural teeth?

Dental implants function much better than removable teeth, (e.g. partials or dentures). Today’s advancements make implants function within 90% of the efficiency of natural teeth in terms of both bite and feel.

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How much do dental implants cost?

The cost of implants varies from patient to patient, depending on the complexity of each case. As a general rule, however, the investment can be expected to be within the range of anyone who can afford fixed bridgework. Often, the cost of insertion of an implant accounts for only a small percentage of the total cost for all the dental treatment required.

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How soon is it possible to eat after receiving dental implants?

As soon as the final restoration has been placed, you can resume normal eating again. A strict soft diet is necessary between placing the implant and placing the final restoration since stress prior to the final cementing of the restorative tooth could cause the implant to be weakened and fail.

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Questions relating to Periodontal Disease

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease (also known as periodontal infection, gum disease or pyorrhea) is an ongoing infection in the gums around your teeth. The cause of periodontal disease is infectious bacteria which gets deep into your gums.

This infection starts destroying the bone that supports your teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. For more information, please see the section entitled "Periodontal Disease".

What are the symptoms of periodontal infection?

Because periodontal infection grows under your gums, you can have no symptoms at all. More advanced cases can result in some of the following symptoms:

Red, swollen or tender gums
Tooth sensitivity to heat/cold
Bad breath
Deep pockets around the teeth
Spaces between the teeth
Loose or shifting teeth
Missing teeth
Gums receding around the teeth (longer looking teeth)

For more information see the section entitled "Periodontal Disease".

Why, all of a sudden, is my dentist sending me to a periodontist?

Periodontists have advanced training in the treatment of periodontal disease and dental implants.

Patients with periodontal infection have a lowered resistance to periodontal bacteria. This causes a continuing gum infection that can grow in bursts of activity. Some factors that can cause a dramatic increase in the severity of your periodontal disease are:

Poor oral hygiene
Dental plaque
Smoking
Genetic factors
Stress
Diet
Age
Illness

Two other important factors are:

Lack of regular dental checkups.
Lack of regular dental cleanings.

When your infection has a "burst" of growth, or when there are signs that this is may occur, your dentist may recommend periodontal treatment.

How is periodontal disease treated?

Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums and jawbone. The goal of treatment is to remove this infection and prevent it from coming back. For more information see Procedures.

After your initial examination, we will completely explain the specific line of treatment you will need.

Does periodontal treatment hurt?

One of our primary concerns is that you have a comfortable experience during treatment. Towards this end, we offer an extensive array of the latest techniques to minimize discomfort.

For more information on these techniques, see Procedures.

Many of our patients come back stating they are amazed at how little discomfort they experienced.

Why must I start treatment right away?

Periodontal infection grows in "bursts of activity".

It is likely that you have been referred to us because your general dentist has noticed an increase in infection activity.

This infection eats away at the bone that supports your teeth (leading to tooth loss). If not treated, there can be a number of consequences. Please see the Dental & Medical Consequences section for a list of these.

General Questions

What is going to happen on my first visit?

On your first visit to our office, you will receive a periodontal examination. You should experience little, if any, discomfort during this examination. If necessary, X rays will be taken to further evaluate any loss of bone around your teeth.

Afterwards, our findings and your options for treatment will be thoroughly explained. At that time, the doctor will answer any questions you may have.

Our goal is that you leave with a complete understanding of your condition and the treatment needed to restore you to optimum oral health.

How much will treatment cost and will my insurance cover it?

Everyone deserves to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. While periodontal treatment is not as costly as replacing natural teeth due to tooth loss, its cost can vary greatly depending upon your needs.

If you have dental insurance, this may provide full or partial coverage. Our office will contact your insurance company to learn what they will cover. We do accept assignment of most insurance benefits and your responsibility will only be to cover the remainder.

We feel that finances should never be an obstacle to treatment. For your convenience, we offer several payment options. We also have payment plans to suit your individual needs. Our insurance coordinator will be happy to answer any of your financial or insurance questions.

What are the medical consequences if I delay treatment?

When periodontal infection gets into the bone around your teeth, it can then enter your blood stream. From there it travels to other parts of the body and can contribute to medical problems.

Recent research has found that patients with periodontal disease are more than twice as likely to suffer heart disease and stroke.

Please read the section entitled "Dental & Medical Consequences" to see an overview of recent research correlating periodontal disease with serious medical problems.

Do you use the latest equipment and techniques?

We keep ourselves up to date regarding equipment and periodontal procedures. You can be sure you will receive state-of-the-art care in our office.

Regarding sterilization, we believe that all procedures should be safe as well as comfortable. We use only the latest sterilization techniques. For more information on treatment techniques and sterilization see the section entitled "Procedures".

What other treatments do you provide?

Besides periodontal treatment and dental implants, we can perform a number of procedures, including:

Crown lengthening
Aesthetic crown lengthening
Antibiotic treatment
Ridge augmentation
Soft tissue grafting
Gingival (gum) contouring
Connective Tissue Grafting

For more information on these procedures, please see the section entitled "Procedures".

How is my general dentist important in my periodontal care?

Your general dentist knows your entire dental history, the condition of your teeth, and your future dental needs. He is in charge of your overall dental care. We work closely with him or her to ensure you will receive the best possible dental care.

In many cases, your general dentist may do your preliminary periodontal treatment and a portion of your periodontal maintenance afterwards.