Frequently Asked Questions ??? (FAQs)
There is a blog to this site, and we committed to answer as many questions within our scope of practice and understanding. To get your questions, please submit them via the "Our Location and Contacts" Page on this website on the form "appointments and inquiries" or simply email us. Remember this site will NOT publish your name or personal info for questions asked.
Question 1: is there an age limit to having implants placed?
Answer: Upon completion of skeletal development which is about 18-21yrs, there is no age limit. Of particular concern is current medical health not necessarily age. The following conditions (list is not exhaustive) have an effect on dental implants healing and hence may result in deferred or no treatment:
- General well being or fitness for surgery is mandatory,
-Pregnancy, a general rule in dentistry is to defer most elective treatment past delivery.
-Cancer disease or treatment within the past 24-30months. implants need to take in order to bear/anchor tooth restorations; cancer is a hindrance.
-Diabetes,poorly controlled diabetes affects healing or integration of the implant .
-AIDS , note there is a big difference between hiv and aids. (many people on Highly active anti-retroviral treatment can safely receive dental implants)
-Bone Disease, conditions like osteoporosis, paget's disease. (It is important and your responsibility to inform your dentist or implant surgeon if you are on medications known as biphosphonates) .
-Smoking, a well documented adverse effect of tobacco on teeth, gums and associated structures make dental implants success rates lower than in, non smokers.
Question 2 : What is the cost of a dental implant
Answer : This depends on a number of issues; I will make an attempt to give a concise response ,Broadly for a single tooth replacement by an implant , 2 main stages entail, namely -
A:surgical placement
Issues affecting cost of surgery are;
(i) Implant type -implant fixture cost of the same or related dimensions will vary largely on brand basis) and
(ii)Complexity of Surgery will vary depending on the amount of bone volume and associated structures- this has a bearing on cost.
For multiple surgical implant placement, the sum total number of fixtures placed bear directly to cost.
B: restoration of the implanted fixture with a crown(tooth that appears in the mouth).
The cost of restoration of the tooth largely will depend on the type of material of the crown, with non metallic ceramics tending to cost more.
Question 3 : Can a Dentist who is not an orthodontist offer braces?
Answer : I frequently get emails from people in general and my clients asking me if as a general dentist I am allowed to provide orthodontic treatment to my patients, or if this can only be done by orthodontists. Simply put,the answer is YES!!. General dentists CAN offer their patients braces. If a general dentist wants to provide orthodontics in his or her practice, then they have to measure up to the standard of care. This means that if a dentist is able to straighten and align teeth as well as an average orthodontist, then they can offer braces to their patients. I always notify my clients of this fact that whilst I am a General dentist and I am able to offer fixed orthodontic treatment. Where cases are complex and beyond my capabilities I will without hesitation refer to specialist Orthodontists.I don’t by any means want to imply that orthodontists aren’t necessary. Orthodontists provide wonderful and essential service to the general public. I simply want to point out that general dentists can provide orthodontic care to their patients if they've participated in the right continuing education and have gained some additional experience and expertise in this area.
Question 4 : Does your practice accept payment via Medical Aid/ Medical Insurance?
Answer : YES but not all Medical Aid/ Medical Insurance plans, also for some treatment modalities /plans, prior arrangement with your Med Aid/Insurance is needed by way of pre-authorized guarantee of payment. Treatment plans that exceed one's cover will require that the client meets the shortfall.
Question 5 : I would like to have implants in my mouth as I have missing teeth. Are dental implants covered by medical aid?
Answer : It depends on your annual cover and scheme which will vary from one medical aid/ insurance company to another. A number of medical insurance /aid companies in Zimbabwe have schemes that cover dental implants, Of importance is to realise that whilst Southern Dental Studios accepts some plans on a pre-authorized basis, not all practices in Zimbabwe do, neither are they obliged to. Of importance is our treatment planning is determined by Dental Medical fundamentals and not the dictates of an insurance plan.
Question 1: is there an age limit to having implants placed?
Answer: Upon completion of skeletal development which is about 18-21yrs, there is no age limit. Of particular concern is current medical health not necessarily age. The following conditions (list is not exhaustive) have an effect on dental implants healing and hence may result in deferred or no treatment:
- General well being or fitness for surgery is mandatory,
-Pregnancy, a general rule in dentistry is to defer most elective treatment past delivery.
-Cancer disease or treatment within the past 24-30months. implants need to take in order to bear/anchor tooth restorations; cancer is a hindrance.
-Diabetes,poorly controlled diabetes affects healing or integration of the implant .
-AIDS , note there is a big difference between hiv and aids. (many people on Highly active anti-retroviral treatment can safely receive dental implants)
-Bone Disease, conditions like osteoporosis, paget's disease. (It is important and your responsibility to inform your dentist or implant surgeon if you are on medications known as biphosphonates) .
-Smoking, a well documented adverse effect of tobacco on teeth, gums and associated structures make dental implants success rates lower than in, non smokers.
Question 2 : What is the cost of a dental implant
Answer : This depends on a number of issues; I will make an attempt to give a concise response ,Broadly for a single tooth replacement by an implant , 2 main stages entail, namely -
A:surgical placement
Issues affecting cost of surgery are;
(i) Implant type -implant fixture cost of the same or related dimensions will vary largely on brand basis) and
(ii)Complexity of Surgery will vary depending on the amount of bone volume and associated structures- this has a bearing on cost.
For multiple surgical implant placement, the sum total number of fixtures placed bear directly to cost.
B: restoration of the implanted fixture with a crown(tooth that appears in the mouth).
The cost of restoration of the tooth largely will depend on the type of material of the crown, with non metallic ceramics tending to cost more.
Question 3 : Can a Dentist who is not an orthodontist offer braces?
Answer : I frequently get emails from people in general and my clients asking me if as a general dentist I am allowed to provide orthodontic treatment to my patients, or if this can only be done by orthodontists. Simply put,the answer is YES!!. General dentists CAN offer their patients braces. If a general dentist wants to provide orthodontics in his or her practice, then they have to measure up to the standard of care. This means that if a dentist is able to straighten and align teeth as well as an average orthodontist, then they can offer braces to their patients. I always notify my clients of this fact that whilst I am a General dentist and I am able to offer fixed orthodontic treatment. Where cases are complex and beyond my capabilities I will without hesitation refer to specialist Orthodontists.I don’t by any means want to imply that orthodontists aren’t necessary. Orthodontists provide wonderful and essential service to the general public. I simply want to point out that general dentists can provide orthodontic care to their patients if they've participated in the right continuing education and have gained some additional experience and expertise in this area.
Question 4 : Does your practice accept payment via Medical Aid/ Medical Insurance?
Answer : YES but not all Medical Aid/ Medical Insurance plans, also for some treatment modalities /plans, prior arrangement with your Med Aid/Insurance is needed by way of pre-authorized guarantee of payment. Treatment plans that exceed one's cover will require that the client meets the shortfall.
Question 5 : I would like to have implants in my mouth as I have missing teeth. Are dental implants covered by medical aid?
Answer : It depends on your annual cover and scheme which will vary from one medical aid/ insurance company to another. A number of medical insurance /aid companies in Zimbabwe have schemes that cover dental implants, Of importance is to realise that whilst Southern Dental Studios accepts some plans on a pre-authorized basis, not all practices in Zimbabwe do, neither are they obliged to. Of importance is our treatment planning is determined by Dental Medical fundamentals and not the dictates of an insurance plan.