Dental Implant FAQS

If your missing tooth or teeth can be seen when you smile, your restoring dentist can make a temporary replacement tooth (or teeth) for cosmetic purposes. In some cases, a temporary tooth can be connected to your dental implant on the same day that it is placed. If you are missing all of the teeth in an upper or a lower jaw, you may be a candidate for immediate placement of REAL teeth that are connected directly to the dental implants, on the day of your implant placement.

As with most dentistry, pain is a common misconception about the permanent teeth dental implant placement procedure. Our patients continuously tell us how amazed they are that the procedure did not hurt and that they required no pain relievers after the procedure. Of course, your level of discomfort is dependent upon the extent of your procedure (such as the number of dental implants and the placement location), but our patients routinely tell us that they experience little to no pain during treatment.

Permanent teeth dental implants are just like REAL TEETH and require the same care and treatment regimen of regular brushing and flossing to keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy.

It’s a fact: You are susceptible to gum disease. And, the main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque produces toxins, or poisons, which constantly attack your gums and teeth. Unless plaque is removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Daily brushing and flossing will help to minimize the formation of calculus, but it won’t completely prevent it. No matter how careful you are in cleaning your teeth and gums, bacterial plaque can cause a recurrence of gum disease from two to four months after your last professional cleaning. Therefore, a dental professional must check for hipen problems and remove the hardened plaque at time intervals appropriate for you so that your teeth and gums stay healthy. Learn more regarding information on effective periodontal maintenance therapy.

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. Depending upon your situation, the interval between your maintenance visits might be as often as, every few weeks or every six months.

The frequency of your maintenance visits will be influenced by:

• The type of periodontal disease you have.
• The type of periodontal disease treatment you received.
• Your response to your treatment.
• Your rate of plaque growth.
• Your personal commitment to, and effectiveness of, good oral care at home.

Without question! By treating disease in the early stages, you save dollars – and discomfort – in the long run. Maintenance visits help to protect your periodontal health and prevent future dental problems. While most dental insurance programs will cover only one dental examination every six months, and force you to pay out of your own pocket for more frequent maintenance, these visits are a wise investment in your dental health that save you greater expenses, and suffering, in the long run.

Your insurance coverage may or may not include benefits for services provided in this office. The benefits you may receive are established by the terms of the contract that has been purchased by your employer or you. The formula your insurance carrier uses, if benefits are covered, may be less than the fee we have established as necessary for your care.

You should know:

• Your insurance is a contract between you and/or your employer and/or the insurance company. We are not a party to that contract. Questions regarding why your company includes or excludes certain services should be directed to your employer.
• Our fees are based on your individual needs and what Dr. Roll and Dr. Williams feel will be required to provide the highest quality care. The exact amount of reimbursement will vary between insurance companies. Some companies reimburse based on an arbitrary “schedule” of fees, which has no relationship to the current standard, and cost of your care.
• Insurance is considered a method of reimbursing the patient for fees paid to the doctor and is not a substitute for payment. Some companies pay fixed allowances for certain procedures, and others pay a percentage of the charge. It is your responsibility to pay any deductible amount, co-insurance or any other balance not paid for by your insurance.

Pinnacle Center – Dental Implants & Periodontics is committed to running a financially responsible practice that offers our patients high quality treatment and high value results, facilitated by our ongoing investment in state-of-the-art equipment and extensive continuing education for the doctor and all our staff. We will assist you in every way to make the insurance and financial arrangements you need for your care and treatment.

Prior to your treatment our financial coordinator will work with you to determine a financial arrangement best suited for you.

We can offer you the following payment options for your care:

• 5% courtesy fee reduction for payment before treatment is rendered.
• Treatment fees divided into 2 or 3 equal payments.
• We can arrange a “No Interest” 6-month loan.
• We can arrange a “Low Interest” loan for 12 to 48 months.

Absolutely. Today, there is no need to ever let fear or anxiety keep you from feeling and looking your best. Our team uses a variety of methods to help you to feel relaxed, comfortable and ready. Whether you need a few kind words of reassurance to help you feel at ease, or anesthesia to numb the pain or bring you to a soothing twilight sleep, we are committed to making your treatment experience as enjoyable as it is effective. Click here for more information on our approach managing patient fear and anxiety.

Your dentist and our periodontists work together as a team to provide you with the best possible care. They combine their experience to formulate the best treatment plan and maintenance plan for you. They keep each other informed about your progress. Although we may see you periodically for maintenance therapy, you will need to see your general dentist as well. Appointments for periodontal maintenance do not replace regular dental checkups. If we detect tooth decay during a maintenance visit, we will refer you to your general dentist for treatment. Your general dentist is primarily responsible for your overall dental health, including such dental needs as filling new or recurrent cavities or making changes in fillings, crowns or bridges.

Yes. At Pinnacle Center – Dental Implants & Periodontics, we routinely treat patients from outside of the area who travel specifically to receive the specialized care and treatment that we offer. We encourage patients from anywhere in the country, and around the world, who are ready to throw away their dentures and replace their missing teeth with the only effective and permanent solution to missing teeth, so contact us today and we will assist you in making travel arrangements to meet with us at our Pittsburgh-area practice.