Dental Implant Candidates By Alex Hecht on October 25, 2012

Dental implants are a permanent, natural looking, and stable solution for the replacement of missing teeth. We welcome you to schedule a consultation with Staten Island cosmetic dentists Alex and Jason Hecht to determine if dental implants are right for you. In the meantime, here is an overview to help educate you on the process you before your consultation.

What Are Dental Implants?

For our patients in Staten Island, dental implants are a surgical replacement for missing teeth. Dental implants consist of a titanium post, which is implanted within the jaw, in the socket of the missing tooth. An abutment is attached to the titanium post so dental restorations can be firmly secured within the mouth. The dental implant procedure itself is relatively quick and about as painful as a tooth extraction, however, the full dental implant process can take as long as six months. This is because the jawbone must heal around the titanium post before the dental restoration can be attached. Once the bone heals around the implant, a permanent bond is formed so your dental implant will feel just like your natural tooth.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are suitable for adults suffering from missing teeth. For younger children and teens, it is recommended that they wait until the jaw has fully developed, unless otherwise determined by the child's dentist. Dental implant candidates should be in good general health. You may also be a candidate if one or more of the following conditions apply to you.

Missing One or More Teeth: Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Candidates for dental implants may need only one tooth replaced or a full upper and lower set.
Current Denture Wearers: Those who are currently wearing removable dentures can benefit from dental implants in a number of ways. Dental implants can anchor the dentures within the mouth for a secure fit.
Healthy Gums: The health of the gums is important when getting dental implants. Healthy gums will heal properly and faster than gums with severe disease. Any major gum disease should be treated prior to dental implant surgery to reduce the risk of infection and help ensure your dental implant surgery is a success.
Sufficient Bone: Successful dental implant treatment requires there be a sufficient amount of jawbone. Bone loss often occurs when teeth are missing. If you have experienced too much loss of jawbone, you may require a graft to rebuild the missing bone before the implant can be placed.

Dental implants offer a number of advantages to patients; they improve the appearance of the smile, make it easier to eat all types of food, and reduce embarrassment when speaking. To experience these benefit and more, find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants.