Can anyone get dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are fixed into the mouth to replace damaged or lost teeth. They’re a versatile and attractive solution to a smile you aren’t proud of. Can anyone get them, however? We turned to a leading expert in dental implants in Sunnyvale, CA, for their advice.

Not everyone can get dental implants.

To hold dental implants properly, you need to be in good health, have healthy gum tissue without problems, and cannot have previously had any work done on your jawbone. This ensures the base of the implant can be held securely and safely in the mouth. It’s also not really suited to large-scale tooth removals, although implants can be effectively combined with bridges and denture areas to make for a comfortable and secure smile reconstruction.

What happens when a dental implant is used?

An impression of your existing teeth will be made and used by a dental technician to create the implant. The replacement tooth itself is a crown, similar to other dental crowns. It is attached to the post, which is something like a screw bed, which will be anchored into your jaw.

On the day of insertion, you will be given a local anesthetic. An incision is made into the gum, and the post placed. You will have your gum stitched closed, and a temporary cap inserted while it heals. This can take up to 6 weeks. Once you’re healed, the cap is removed and the permanent crown cemented into place.

Dental implants have become popular, as they have no adverse effects on remaining teeth (as a bridge can), and they look and feel like a natural tooth in the mouth. Unlike removable dentures, they’re very secure, too. Although not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, it’s worth bearing in mind if you are.

If you’re looking for dental implants in Sunnyvale, or you’re curious to know more, the team at Sunnyvale Dental Specialty is always here to help.