Did you know that on average women smile 62 times per day, while men smile 8 times per day? While there is quite a difference between men and women’s smile rates, one thing can be agreed on: we all smile! But for those who are missing one or more teeth in Berkeley, CA, smiling may not come as easily to them. Dental implants are an ideal tooth replacement option that look realistic and can remain durable for a lifetime, giving patients with missing teeth that relief and renewed vigor in their smiles. While dental implants may be sought after, not everyone is an instant candidate for this procedure. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Dailley for a more definitive answer and see if you are a candidate for dental implants.
Typical Dental Implants Patient
The best candidates for dental implants are those who are most in need of them, mainly those with missing teeth and those who may be at risk of losing teeth. If you’re suffering from extensive tooth decay or other form of periodontal disease and have been told that the affected tooth must be removed, look to dental implants as your optimal tooth replacement treatment. We often find that may people grow very weary of having to wear removable prosthesis in their mouth such as a full or partial denture, and implants are an ideal solution for eliminating burdensome these.
Patients should be in relatively good oral health in order to undergo the surgery and to ensure the success of the dental implant. If your teeth are damaged due to tooth decay or several of your teeth have shifted, prior treatments may be needed prior to undergoing dental implant surgery.
Lastly, a patient’s jawbone and gum tissue structure must be sufficient enough to support the dental implant as well. Jawbone depletion is often a result of tooth loss and teeth shifting to compensate for a changing bite pattern. Gum recession can also occur as a result of gingivitis or irritated gums. In the case where either bone depletion or gum recession is preventing a patient from receiving dental implants, there are two procedures that can resolve these problems – a bone graft or a soft tissue augmentation.
Young Patients Not Recommended
While adults with missing teeth are welcome to look into dental implants as their chosen tooth replacement treatment, it’s not recommended for children and teens to necessarily receive dental implants. This is due to their growth.
Children and teens do not have the developed jaw structure or adult teeth to receive a permanent fixture in their smile. Children still need their permanent teeth to come in, and often teens are undergoing teeth corrections like braces or wisdom tooth removal. Their structure may not be strong enough to endure the surgery or have the support to keep the dental implant permanently fixed.
Supplemental Procedures
For those who are lacking sufficient bone or gum support for an implant placement, there are two procedures available to resolve the deficiencies. They are bone grafts and soft tissue augmentations. Both procedures are similar in nature, requiring new tissue to be transplanted onto the affected areas in order to encourage growth and regeneration.
With a bone graft the procedure requires the placement of a small amount of bone. This new bone is usually freeze-dried bone that is derived from a bone bank, and it is surgically applied to the deficient area of the patient’s jaw. A soft tissue augmentation, also known as a gum graft, harvests a small amount of tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and applies it to the receded gum area. The new tissue is left to bond with the receded gums and effectively covers the roots of the teeth again.
Discover Your Candidacy for Dental Implants
At the practice of Anthony Dailley, DDS, we want all of you patients to receive the treatments they need and deserve. If you’re interested in dental implants as a solution for your missing teeth, contact us today in Berkeley, CA to learn more. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Dailley as well to definitively determine if dental implants are best for you and your smile.