California Dental Implant - Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

A beautiful, flawless smile is a great way to boost one's self-confidence and let a happy inner-self shine through! But when that individual is missing a tooth, he or she may feel embarrassed or too self-conscious to risk showing a gap-toothed grin. No worries – there are many solutions for those who want to replace missing teeth and restore their wonderful smiles. While some may opt for partial dentures or crowns and bridges, today most dentists recommend dental implants as a standard of care.

A dental implant is a titanium screw placed in the jaw bone, under the gum to integrate into the jawbone. Once the implant has integrated with the bone (usually over a period of 3-4 months), it is then crowned (capped) with a natural-looking porcelain restoration in order to replace the tooth that was missing. A dental implant is typically the best way to replace a tooth. It is a conservative method, requiring no cutting of the adjoining teeth (unlike a bridge). It has the stability and strength of a natural tooth, and is a permanent solution that doesn\'t require any additional daily care or attention.

Unfortunately, not everyone is an ideal candidate for dental implants. They are not recommended for heavy smokers or individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, as both of these condition can hinder the mouth's ability to heal. This, in turn, may cause an implant to be unsuccessful. Individuals who have certain medical conditions, substance and alcohol abusers, and those who do not properly care for their teeth or their bodies are also not good subjects for dental implants. A good candidate for dental implants will not have extensive bone loss in the jaw from gum disease, which could prevent the implant from successfully incorporating into the existing bone of the mouth. In these situations, dentures or a dental bridge may be more appropriate solutions.

If you are in the California – San Francisco or the East Bay area and are considering dental implants, call Dr. Randhawa and his staff today. We have a specialist – periodontist on our team to place dental implants with best results. Dr. Randhawa then places the crowns on top of the implants to complete the two stage process. Get started on the perfect smile you've always wanted!