Candidacy for Dental Implants

Studio City, Burbank, North Hollywood

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth and supports a dental crown to create a natural looking tooth replacement. It is placed in the jawbone in a dental surgery. People with dental implants who previously used dentures can return to speaking with confidence and chewing food comfortably.

As many as 125 million Americans are missing one or more teeth. Teeth can be lost for many reasons, such as:

Aging
Trauma
Poor oral hygiene
Disease

The most common type of implant is a threaded titanium cylinder. Bone tissue has an affinity with titanium and does not reject it as a foreign object.

Criteria to be Met

If you have lost one or more teeth, it is likely that you are a good candidate for dental implants.

You must be in good health with no systemic illness that may affect your ability to heal
If you are diabetic, you must have the disease well under control and one of our dentists will decide whether risk is too great or not.
Enough high quality bone must be present. Tooth loss leads to a process called bone resorption, when the bone shrinks to fill any gap left by a missing tooth root. Alternatively, some people naturally have a narrow or short jawbone. There are a couple of other types of implant not cylindrical which can be used when the jawbone is too narrow or short for a cylinder shape. In some cases a bone graft can be done to add bone tissue.

A good implant candidate will understand the procedure and how it will be done. You must understand the risks which come with all surgeries. Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands will explain these things and give you written instructions on how to care for yourself during recovery. It is crucially important that you follow these instructions.

At Smiles By Sands in Studio City, California, we maintain the highest standards of technology. We stay current on industry developments, research and training to provide the latest treatments and procedures for your benefit. Our superior infection control and disciplined hygienic practices ensure your safety and comfort through every procedure.

To learn more about dental implants, please contact our Studio City cosmetic dentistry office to schedule a personal consultation.