Questions and glossary
Straight answers to what people ask us most, and a plain-language glossary for the words you'll hear at your consult.
Am I a candidate?
How do I know if implants are right for me?
A 3D CT scan of your jaw and an exam by a specialist decide that. The scan shows how much bone you have, where nerves and sinuses sit, and the health of the teeth around a gap. No website, quiz or phone call can tell you, and we won't pretend otherwise.
Am I too old for implants?
Age on its own rarely rules anyone out. Overall health, the bone you have, the medicines you take and whether you can keep the area clean matter more. We regularly treat patients in their 70s and 80s.
I smoke. Can I still get implants?
Often, yes, but smoking makes implant failure and gum problems more likely. We'll talk honestly about the risk, and about stopping or cutting back before and after surgery.
I was told I don't have enough bone.
That's common after a tooth has been missing for a while or after years of a denture. A graft can often rebuild it, or angled implants like All-on-4 may use the bone that's there. Bring your previous scan if you have one.
Cost, insurance and financing
Why don't you list exact prices?
Because two people with the same missing tooth can need very different work. We show example ranges per tooth and per arch on every treatment page. After your CT scan and exam, you get a written price for your plan.
What does the consult cost?
The CT scan consult is $95, including the 3D scan, and it's credited to your treatment if you go ahead. A 20-minute video chat beforehand is free.
Does insurance cover implants?
Many plans pay part of a crown, denture or tooth removal, and some pay toward the implant. Most have a yearly maximum, often $1,000 to $2,000. We check your benefits and file claims for you.
Do you offer financing?
We work with third-party healthcare lenders. They set the terms and the rate based on your credit, and you see the full cost before you agree. We can also split treatment into phases and take payments as each phase is done.
Surgery day and comfort
Does implant surgery hurt?
The area is numbed, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Afterward, soreness and swelling peak around day two or three. Most single-implant patients use over-the-counter pain relief.
What sedation do you offer?
Numbing on its own, a calming pill taken before your visit, or IV sedation given and monitored by Dr. Sokolov and a nurse. With IV sedation you need someone to drive you home.
How much time off work?
Usually a day or two for a single implant, and about a week for full-arch surgery. Desk work comes back sooner than heavy lifting.
Healing and daily life
What can I eat afterward?
Soft, cool foods for the first days. With full-arch temporary teeth, soft foods for about two months. We give you a printed food list.
Will my speech change?
With new full-arch teeth or a new denture, a few sounds may feel odd for a week or two. Reading aloud helps your tongue adjust faster.
How do I clean implants?
Brush twice a day, and use a water flosser or small brushes around implants and under bridges. Cleanings every 3 to 6 months let us check the gums and bone.
Risks and the long term
What are the risks?
Infection, an implant not bonding to the bone, bone loss over time, nerve irritation in the lower jaw, and sinus problems for upper back implants. None of these are common, and each treatment page explains how we lower them and what we do if one happens.
Can an implant fail?
Yes. Most implants bond and stay, but some don't, and smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and gum disease raise the chance. A failed implant is removed, the area heals, and another attempt is often possible.
How long do implants last?
Many last for decades with good care, but nothing in dentistry is guaranteed. Crowns, bridges and dentures on top of implants wear and may need repair or replacing over the years.
Plain-language glossary
Implant words, explained
- Abutment
- The small connector that joins an implant to the crown or bridge on top. Related treatment
- All-on-4
- A full arch of fixed teeth held by four implants, two of them angled at the back. Related treatment
- Bone graft
- Material placed where bone has shrunk, which your body slowly turns into its own bone. Related treatment
- Bridge
- A row of joined teeth that fills a gap, held by teeth or implants on either side. Related treatment
- CBCT scan
- Cone beam CT: a 3D X-ray of the jaw taken while you stand still for about 20 seconds.
- Crown
- A cap that covers a damaged tooth, or the visible tooth on top of an implant. Related treatment
- Denture
- Removable replacement teeth. A full denture replaces a whole arch. Related treatment
- Extraction
- Removing a tooth. Often done on the same day an implant is placed.
- Full arch
- All the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Related treatment
- Gum disease
- Infection of the gums and bone around teeth. Treated before implants are placed.
- Immediate load
- Attaching temporary teeth to implants on the day they are placed, when they are firm enough.
- Implant
- A small titanium post placed in the jawbone to act as a tooth root. Related treatment
- Locator attachment
- A snap fitting on top of an implant that holds a removable denture. Related treatment
- Membrane
- A thin protective layer placed over a bone graft while it heals. Related treatment
- Night guard
- A thin clear tray worn while sleeping to protect teeth and dental work from grinding.
- Osseointegration
- The bone growing onto an implant's surface and holding it firmly. Usually 3 to 4 months.
- Overdenture
- Another name for a snap-on denture that clips onto implants. Related treatment
- Peri-implantitis
- Gum infection around an implant that can wear away the bone holding it.
- Periodontist
- A dentist with extra years of training in gums, bone and implant surgery.
- Prosthodontist
- A dentist with extra years of training in replacing and rebuilding teeth. Related treatment
- Ridge graft
- A graft that widens or builds up a jaw that has shrunk. Related treatment
- Sinus lift
- Raising the floor of the sinus above the upper back teeth and adding bone under it. Related treatment
- Surgical guide
- A 3D-printed tray that guides each implant to the exact spot planned on your scan.
- Titanium
- The strong, body-friendly metal most implants are made from.
- Vertical dimension
- How far apart your jaws sit when your teeth meet. It shrinks as teeth wear. Related treatment
- Zirconia
- A very strong tooth-colored ceramic used for crowns and full-arch bridges.
Still have a question? Call (515) 555-0148 or ask at your consult.
Not sure you're a candidate? The scan will tell us.
A CT scan consult takes 75 to 90 minutes. You'll see your own scan, hear every option with example prices, and go home with a plan. No pressure to decide that day.