Frequently Asked Treatment Questions

Published: 2 July 2025

Treatment FAQ’s

Dental Implants

What are dental implants and how do they work?

Dental implants are titanium or ceramic posts surgically placed into the jawbone to act like roots for missing teeth. They provide a strong foundation for crowns or bridges, so replacement teeth look and function like natural ones. Unlike removable dentures, implants are fixed in the bone and help preserve your jaw shape and chewing ability.

Am I a good candidate for implants?

You’re generally a candidate if you’re missing one or more teeth and in good overall health. Ideal implant candidates have finished growing (usually 18+ years old), have healthy gums and enough jawbone (or can have a bone graft), don’t smoke, and don’t have uncontrolled conditions (like diabetes) that impair healing.

What happens during implant surgery?

Implant placement usually requires one or more procedures. First, any damaged tooth is removed. If your jawbone is too thin, a bone graft may be done to build it up. The implant post is then surgically inserted into your jawbone, and the gum is stitched closed.

Over several months, the bone grows around the implant (a process called osseointegration), creating a solid new “root.” Finally, after healing, an abutment (connector) and a natural-looking crown (artificial tooth) are attached. In complex cases, everything is carefully planned with X‑rays or 3D scans and a team (oral surgeon, periodontist, prosthodontist) to ensure the best outcome

How long does the implant process take?

It depends on your individual case. We offer both immediate and staged (delayed) implant options, tailored to your unique clinical needs. In many cases, the full process—from planning to the final crown—takes several months to allow for proper healing.

If bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed, that may extend the timeline. Some patients are candidates for immediate implants with a temporary tooth placed on the same day. However, the final crown is typically placed only once the implant has fully integrated with the bone, which may take 3–6 months or more.

Every step is carefully planned to ensure long-term success and natural-looking results.

Will the surgery hurt, and how is pain managed?

You won’t feel pain during surgery because local anaesthesia and sedation are used. After surgery, mild discomfort, swelling or bruising are common. Any post-operative pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen

What is the recovery like?

Most people can return to normal activities in a few days. You may have some swelling, bruising or soreness in the gums and face initially, but this improves quickly.

What are the risks or complications?

Implant surgery has a high success rate (about 90–95% in healthy patients), especially with an experienced surgeon. However, as with any surgery, there are risks. Careful planning and good oral hygiene greatly reduce these risks.

How successful and long-lasting are implants?

For healthy patients, modern implants last a very long time – often decades – with proper care. Success rates are about 90–95%. Once healed, an implant-supported tooth functions like a natural tooth.

Good home care (brushing, flossing) and regular dental check-ups keep implants healthy. Unlike a bridge that relies on neighboring teeth, an implant stands alone, so it preserves the surrounding teeth.

How much do implants cost, and will insurance cover them?

Implant therapy is a significant investment. Implants are more expensive upfront than dentures or bridges, but they last longer and feel more natural.

Costs vary widely based on how many implants you need, the need for bone grafts, and your location.

Bone Grafting

Why would I need a bone graft for implants?

A dental implant needs enough solid jawbone for support. If you’ve lost bone (due to tooth loss, gum disease, or injury), a graft can build up the area.

A bone graft adds bone (either taken from your own body or from a biocompatible material) to widen or thicken the jaw. This creates a firmer base so the implant can fuse properly.

What is involved in bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure. We numb the area and place graft material (either your own bone from elsewhere or a synthetic bone substitute) into the deficient area.

Sometimes a sinus lift (sinus augmentation) is done: in upper back teeth, the sinus floor is raised to allow more bone. After placing the graft, the gum is sutured over it.

How long does a bone graft take to heal?

Healing from a bone graft takes time. It often requires several months (sometimes 4–9 months) for the new bone to mature and become strong enough to hold an implant.

We will monitor the site with follow-up visits and X-rays. Only when the grafted bone is fully healed will we proceed to place the implant.

Is bone grafting painful?

You will have local anesthesia and possibly sedation for the graft surgery, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, you might feel some soreness at the graft site for a few days. Pain relievers and ice packs can help with discomfort.

Because bone grafting is like a minor surgical procedure, following post-op care instructions (soft diet, avoiding smoking, taking prescribed antibiotics) will support healing and minimise pain or complications.

Is bone grafting always necessary before implants?

Not always — it depends on the quality and quantity of your existing bone. In some cases, Prof. Gluckman can place immediate implants or use modified techniques that avoid grafting. However, when the bone is too thin or soft, grafting gives the best chance of long-term implant success.

What are the risks of bone grafts?

Bone grafting is generally very safe, especially in skilled hands.

Complications are uncommon but can include infection or graft failure (rarely, the body doesn’t incorporate the graft). If graft material is taken from your own body, there may be some discomfort at the donor site (like the hip or chin) where it was harvested.

We will discuss all precautions and signs to watch for. In general, grafting greatly increases the chance of a successful implant when there is insufficient bone.

How do I know if I’ve lost bone in my jaw?

Bone loss isn’t always obvious — you may not feel it. But if your teeth have been missing for a long time, or your face looks slightly sunken or collapsed, you may have experienced bone shrinkage. A 3D scan (like a CBCT) is used to assess the quality and volume of your bone and plan reconstruction with precision.

Soft Tissue (Gum) Reconstruction

What is a gum (soft tissue) graft and why do I need it?

Gum grafting is a procedure to treat gum recession (when gums pull away and expose tooth roots). Exposed roots can lead to sensitivity, decay, and poor aesthetics. A gum graft covers the exposed area and adds volume to your gum line.

We recommend gum grafts if you have thinning gums or receding gums, often caused by gum disease, aggressive brushing, or genetics.

How is a gum graft surgery performed?

First, your mouth will be numbed with local anaesthesia and sometimes a sedative for comfort. We gently lift a flap of gum tissue at the recession site. A small piece of tissue is then taken (usually from the roof of your mouth, the palate) or a donor tissue is used.

This tissue is placed over the exposed roots and secured with tiny stitches. If tissue is taken from your palate, that site is also stitched closed. The goal is to cover the root surfaces with new gum tissue and thicken the gums in that area.

Does a gum graft hurt? What is recovery like?

You won’t feel pain during the procedure due to anaesthesia. Afterward, expect mild soreness or tightness in the grafted area and possibly at the palate donor site.

Dentists usually provide pain meds or recommend over-the-counter relief. Most people can manage discomfort with rest and home care. Healing takes about 1–2 weeks on average.

You may have a short work/school absence (often 1–2 days). We will give you detailed instructions (eating soft foods, not brushing the area immediately, using saltwater rinses) to support healing.

What are the benefits of gum grafting?

Gum grafts offer several advantages: they protect teeth roots, which can reduce sensitivity and risk of cavities; they improve gum health (reducing risk of future gum disease or bone loss around the tooth); and they enhance the appearance of your smile by restoring a more even gum line. Grafting helps save your teeth and make your smile look better.

What are the risks of gum grafting?

Complications are uncommon, but can include infection, excessive bleeding, or graft failure (rarely, the grafted tissue may not integrate properly).

We will monitor you closely. Overall, gum grafting has a high success rate (over 90%) when done by an experienced periodontist.

How long does it take to recover from a gum graft?

Most people recover in about 1–2 weeks. During this time your gum tissue heals and regains strength.

We will check on you after one week, and regular follow-ups will continue until you’re fully healed. Once healed, you’ll have healthier gum coverage around the tooth.

Full-Mouth Rehabilitation

What is full-mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction?

This is a comprehensive treatment plan to restore all (or most) of a patient’s teeth, bite, and aesthetics.

It often involves multiple treatments – for example, crowns or bridges on many teeth, multiple implants replacing missing teeth, gum procedures, and sometimes orthodontics – all coordinated to improve function, health, and appearance.

Essentially, it rebuilds your bite from the bottom up using the latest dental techniques.

Who is a candidate for full-mouth rehab?

Patients who have extensive dental problems – such as many missing or worn teeth, severe bite issues, or advanced gum disease – might need full-mouth reconstruction. It’s tailored to each patient’s needs.

During planning, we will evaluate jaw alignment, gum health, teeth condition, and more.

What does the planning and procedure involve?

Planning is very detailed. We use 3D imaging and digital mock-ups (often called Digital Smile Design) to visualise the outcome.

The process might be done in phases: for example, treating gum disease first, then placing implants, then fitting temporary teeth, and finally creating the final crowns or prostheses.

Each phase involves precise measurements (impressions or digital scans) and coordination among providers. In general, you can expect multiple visits: evaluation, treatments (like multiple crowns or implants), and adjustments.

How long does it take to complete?

Full-mouth rehab can take many months (sometimes a year or more). Healing times (e.g. after implant placement) add to the timeline, and steps often must be spaced out.

For example, if implants are needed, each implant can take 3–6 months to fully integrate. We will give you a rough timeline based on the specific procedures planned.

What about recovery and results?

Recovery depends on the treatments performed. After implants or gum surgery, expect the usual 1–2 week recovery as noted above.

If orthodontics are involved, that adds its own timetable. The end result, however, is a stable, healthy bite and a significantly improved smile. Most patients find that the functional and cosmetic benefits are well worth the effort.

How much does full-mouth rehab cost, and is it worth it?

This is usually a high-end treatment, so costs are substantial. It’s typically more expensive than simple dentistry because of the number of procedures and specialists involved.

However, it often provides the only way to fully restore oral health and function in complex cases.

Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Dentistry

What aesthetic issues can Prof Gluckman help with?

Two of the most common aesthetic concerns we address are:

Gummy Smiles – When too much gum shows when you smile.
Gum Recession – When gums pull away, exposing long tooth roots and making the smile look uneven or aged.

Both of these concerns can be corrected through specialist gum treatments — often with immediate improvement in the appearance and confidence of your smile.

How do you correct gummy smiles?

In many cases, a gummy smile can be treated with laser gum contouring and crown lengthening. These procedures gently reshape the gumline to expose more of the natural tooth and create a more balanced, elegant smile.

The process is minimally invasive, and in the right hands, the results are subtle but transformative.

Are these procedures purely cosmetic?

Not at all. While the results are aesthetically powerful, these treatments also improve the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and bone structure. They help prevent further damage, support future restorations (like implants or veneers), and improve your ability to maintain oral hygiene.

Will I see the results immediately?

Yes, in most cases. Procedures like gum contouring and crown lengthening offer visible results immediately after healing — often within days. For gum grafts, while full healing takes longer, the aesthetic improvement is gradual and long-lasting.

Patients frequently describe feeling more confident even in the early recovery stages.multiple veneers might just mean a day or two of mild sensitivity.

Is it worth doing if I don’t have pain or disease?

Absolutely — many patients come to us not because they’re in pain, but because they’re unhappy with how their smile looks. Correcting these issues can have a powerful emotional effect.

Oral Medicine

What is oral medicine, and why would I need to see a specialist?

Oral medicine is a specialised field that focuses on diagnosing and treating non-tooth-related diseases of the mouth — things like ulcers, unusual patches, burning sensations, chronic infections, or precancerous changes.

If you’ve had a problem in your mouth that isn’t going away — and your doctor or general dentist can’t explain it — you may need an oral medicine specialist. Prof. Gluckman is highly experienced in this area and treats a wide range of conditions affecting the soft tissues of the mouth.

I have a sore or ulcer in my mouth that won’t go away. Should I be worried?

Any sore that lasts longer than two weeks should be checked by a specialist. While many ulcers are harmless, persistent or recurring ones can be signs of viral, fungal, or autoimmune conditions, or in some cases, early warning signs of oral cancer.

We can identify the cause and recommend appropriate treatment — or biopsy the area if necessary — to give you clarity and peace of mind.

Why is my mouth always burning or tingling? Could it be something serious?

A burning sensation in the mouth (especially if there’s no clear cause like a burn from food) can be linked to nerve issues, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, or even systemic conditions.

It’s something general practitioners may overlook, but we have the tools and experience to evaluate these symptoms thoroughly and identify whether it’s an oral or systemic issue.

Is oral medicine just for cancer checks?

No — it covers much more. While identifying precancerous changes is a critical part of oral medicine, we also treats fungal infections (like thrush), viral lesions (like herpes), autoimmune conditions, and chronic pain or burning issues that affect the inside of the mouth.

It’s a specialty that bridges medicine and dentistry, and it often provides answers for people who have been searching for a solution without success.

Can oral medicine help with bad breath, dry mouth, or strange tastes?

Yes — these symptoms often relate to salivary gland dysfunction, infections, medication side effects, or systemic health issues.

We can assess your full oral environment and perform diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause — so you’re not just masking symptoms, but actually treating them.

I’ve been sent for a biopsy. Should I be worried?

Not necessarily — a biopsy simply means taking a small sample to understand what’s going on at a cellular level. Many lesions turn out to be benign, but some need close monitoring or removal. Prof. Gluckman performs incisional and excisional biopsies with precision and care, and will guide you through the process so you understand exactly what’s being done and why.