Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Go Ahead, Ask Us Anything!

At Stone Ridge Dental, we are very keen on patient education and having open dialogue regarding dental health— it’s our passion. So when we get the same frequently asked questions from different patients, we like to document them and present them here, because it’s likely that you are wondering the same thing. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to ask the Dr. when you arrive. There are no stupid questions, as questioning is learning, and we actively encourage you to question everything.

How Long Should I Expect Implants To Last?

With proper hygiene and without abuse dental implants will last a lifetime. The dental prostheses attached to implants (the visible part of the tooth) will never have a cavity or need fillings, crowns or root canal treatment; if kept clean and without improper use you should be able to eat anything you want and look amazing for as long as you take good care of it. Treat them like you would natural teeth—floss and brush regularly as well as visit us for regular check-ups.

Are Dental Procedures Painful? 

The team at Stone Ridge takes every precaution to make our patients feel as comfortable as possible. Depending on what you are having done many options will be offered to you to ensure your treatment will be extremely comfortable. Most of our patients prefer IV for more intensive procedures so they don’t feel or remember anything at all. With these measures, most of our patients claim they felt more comfortable than expected and they don’t even remember much of the procedure done.

Won’t People Be Able To Know I Have Implants?

Many patients have the misconception that implants are like the dentures of 40+ years ago—ultra bright, obviously fake and downright glaring. Technology has progressed leaps and bounds from those days with materials that mimic perfectly the natural color, slight opacity, and gloss of real teeth. The only way someone will know is if you tell them. Dr. Monarres takes special pride on his work and sees your smile as a piece of art framed by your lips, he’ll never finish your treatment unless you absolutely love the result.

Do Implants Work Just Like Real Teeth? 

Stone Ridge Implants absolutely work just like real teeth, if not better. Given that our implants are made out of the highest strength and quality medical grade materials— they, in some ways, outperform real teeth, such as being impervious to decay. You can rest assured that after your treatment is completed you will be able to enjoy all the foods you love without hindrance while having a beautiful smile.

How Long Will It Take To Heal? 

Each patient’s body works differently, but the entire procedure normally spans anywhere from 3 to 6 months if you follow the treatment plan prescribed. Essentially your procedure is a two phase healing process. The first phase is where the implants have to fuse to your bone in order to begin healing, Dr. Monarres will never let you leave our clinic without teeth thus you’ll have a beautiful interim fixed prosthesis the same day while your implants are integrating. The second phase after your healing and integration of your new implants is the fabrication/delivery of you final customized fixed prosthesis, you’ll have an opportunity to see and feel your final teeth before they are finished to make sure you can change anything you want in order to have a perfect result. The process length can vary from patient to patient but the key is following the plan exactly as prescribed.

Will My Insurance Cover My Implants? 

Generally, implants are considered elective procedures by most insurance providers and are not covered. That being said, there are instances where based on coverage add-ons or cause of tooth loss, some cases might be covered. The only way to know for sure is to come in for a consultation and we will discuss it with your insurance provider together.

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