Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants and the services we provide.
Do I need to be referred by my general dentist to come to your office?
Not at all. You can come to us directly and should call us to make an appointment for an examination or consultation. This is true whether you have a current dentist or not. If there are any records that we may need from the general dentist who last treated you, we can easily obtain them.
What happens in my first full examination?
Our full examinations for new patients are very thorough. We take complete digital X-rays, intraoral and extraoral photos and when needed, a 3D CT scan of your jaw, teeth and surrounding structures.
Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler will conduct a full oral examination which also includes an oral cancer screening, a bite and jaw joint check and a review of your medical and dental history. The doctor will discuss your goals with you, thoroughly explain your treatment options and answer all your questions.
Learn more about our comprehensive new patient exam and dental implant consultation here.
What is the cost of an exam?
We currently have a comprehensive exam and dental implant consultation which contains all the above for $99. This is a $590 value, and your $99 payment will be applied to any future treatment. This makes it very easy to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants and discover all the treatment options available to you. You can easily schedule an appointment by calling our office or requesting one online.
Learn more about our comprehensive new patient exam and dental implant consultation here.
Should I always try to save my teeth?
Not in every instance. Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are experts at saving teeth and often do so even when teeth are severely compromised. However, there can be times when teeth are so deteriorated that the work needed to try to save them is very costly, very extensive and still runs the risk of failing completely in the near future. Our doctors can examine you and let you know what they recommend in your particular situation. For teeth that are broken-down and should be replaced, Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler can extract your teeth, place a dental implant and give you a functional replacement tooth all on the same day.
Learn more about what can be done with broken-down teeth here.
How will I know whether a denture, a partial denture or an implant is the best option if I have broken-down teeth?
Although implants are almost always the best option, our doctors will only be able to make a final determination after a complete examination. The exam will include full X-rays and 3D imaging plus a thorough physical evaluation of your teeth, bone levels and gum health. They will also obtain a full dental and medical history. After all the information is analyzed they will explain your options in detail, give you the pros and cons of each, and answer all your questions.
Learn more about our new patient exam and implant consultation here.
Who are candidates for dental implants?
Due to major advancements in technology, most people are now able to safely receive and enjoy the benefits of dental implants. This even includes patients who have experienced severe bone loss in their jaw, who smoke heavily or who have medical problems such as diabetes or heart disease. You can receive dental implants at any age, the only exception being young people whose jaws have not yet fully developed.
Learn more about who can receive dental implants here.
Who are candidates for implants and replacement teeth on the same day?
People who need their teeth extracted and people who already have missing teeth but don’t have severe bone loss can be candidates for implant placement and functional new teeth in the same visit.
Patients can replace individual teeth with single implants mounted by crowns, and they can replace several missing teeth with implant-supported bridges. For patients who need all their teeth replaced, Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler can extract any remaining teeth, place the necessary implants and provide a full-arch set of new replacement teeth on the same day, using the All-on-4® New Teeth in One Day procedure.
Learn more about same-day tooth replacement here.
Will I need bone grafting?
That all depends on your particular circumstances. Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler will determine if any bone grafting is needed after a complete examination and evaluation. For patients receiving extractions and immediate implants with replacement teeth on the same day, or for patients eligible for the All-on-4 New Teeth in One Day procedure, the need for bone grafting is extremely rare. You can find out what would be needed in your case in a new patient exam and consultation.
Learn more about same-day tooth replacement here.
How does the All-on-4 procedure work?
The essence of the All-on-4 procedure is to place four specially designed implants in strategic positions and at precise angles in the jaw where the bone is of the highest volume and density, thus providing the greatest stability and support. These implants support a set of full-arch replacement teeth that are firmly fixed in your mouth and can only be removed by the dentist.
Learn more about All-on-4 New Teeth in One Day here.
Would the All-on-4 procedure be good for me if I’m already wearing dentures?
Absolutely. Patients who have already been wearing dentures can benefit just as much from the All-on-4 New Teeth in One Day procedure as patients who still have some remaining teeth that need to be extracted. Come to our office for a full examination and consultation with one of our doctors to see if you are a candidate for All-on-4.
Learn more about discovering if you are a candidate for All-on-4 here.
How long does the All-on-4 procedure take on the day I receive my implants and new teeth?
The entire procedure for both arches will generally take between six to eight hours from the time you are seated in the treatment room. You will walk out the door that day with all implants placed and a complete set of new replacement teeth. We schedule patients early in the morning so they can leave our office by the end of the afternoon.
Learn more about our All-on-4 Procedure here.
How soon after extractions would it be best to receive an implant?
It would almost always be best to receive the implant immediately after your teeth are extracted, as missing teeth can cause deterioration of your bone and gums. Implants need a certain amount of bone to be present in your jaw to allow for stable placement. Our advanced tooth extraction procedures preserve maximum bone and gum during extraction and reduce or eliminate the need for any bone grafting.
Learn more about our Same-Day Tooth Replacement here.
How much downtime and recovery time is involved when receiving an individual implant?
If you are receiving anywhere from one to four implants at the same time, you are not out of action at all– you can be up and about the same day if you don’t take sedation. If you undergo the procedure under sedation, you should take the day of the procedure off and have someone drive you to and from the office. You will normally be able to go back to work the next day.
How much downtime and recovery time is involved for the All-on-4 procedure?
With All-on-4 treatment, most people have minimal downtime–they are able to resume normal activities the same day when they get home from the procedure. However, you will need to schedule some downtime for the two days following your procedure as there is some swelling that needs to come down and you will need time to get used to your new teeth. You will be given specific instructions to follow regarding medications, diet, and cleaning your new teeth over the next several weeks, as your implants heal.
Is there discomfort associated with receiving implants?
For individual implants, there is little to no discomfort during the procedure, and post-operative discomfort is minimal. This would be true for receiving one implant and all the way to getting four implants in one sitting.
For the All-on-4® New Teeth in One Day procedure, there is virtually no discomfort during the procedure as you are under sedation or general anesthesia. You will receive specific instructions for analgesic medications on a precise schedule for the next ten days to minimize any potential discomfort that could occur afterwards.
How much do implants or All-on-4 cost?
There is no way to give a flat cost for implants or the All-on-4® procedure, as each case is different and the exact procedural requirements will only be known after a complete oral exam which includes full digital X-rays and 3D scans.
We use only the highest quality brands of implants and components, thus guaranteeing maximum stability and success rate. This proves to be more cost-effective over time, as these implants and materials provide a very stable foundation and usually last a lifetime with proper care.
Learn more about the cost of dental implants here.
Are there any financing options?
Yes. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards. We also work with two major health care financing services that provide zero-interest financing to qualified applicants. Our treatment coordinator will help you with all financial options to make paying for your treatment as convenient as possible.
Learn more about our payment and financing options here.
Will you take my insurance?
Even if we are not in-network with your insurance, we will happily verify your coverage when you see us. Since certain procedures can be covered by medical insurance, we request that you bring us the information for any medical as well as dental insurance policies. We will file your claim on your behalf to help you get the maximum reimbursement from your insurer for covered procedures.
Learn more about how we work with your insurance here.
What will my insurance cover?
All insurance policies have different coverage for different procedures. We will happily verify your insurance coverage when you come to see us.
Where are you located?
We are conveniently located at the Southcenter Professional Plaza, 411 Strander Blvd, Suite 302, Seattle, WA 98188-2964. We are at the corner of Strander Blvd. and Andover Park E. Our office is just four miles due east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, about one mile east of Interstate 5 and about one mile south of Interstate 405. Across the street, to the north on Strander Blvd., is Albert Lee Appliances, and directly west of us across our parking area is a Barnes & Noble.
See the map on our Contact Us page for further detail.
To make an appointment, call 206‑575‑1086 or click here to request an appointment online.
