Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?

If you are missing one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth, you are probably a candidate for dental implants. We can usually work around any health issues, and age in itself is not a contraindication. Where there are risk factors, Dr. Chal will explain those to you. We invite you to come into the office and consult with Dr. Chal. He has a firm policy that he only does dental implants if he can honestly predict success - if you aren't a good candidate, he will tell you and let you know what your alternative options are.

Missing One Tooth

If you are missing one tooth, the chief advantage of replacing it with a dental implant is that the teeth on either side do not have to be prepared for dental crowns. Especially if they are healthy, intact teeth, it seems a shame to grind them down and involve three teeth when the problem is only with one tooth.

Missing Several Teeth

The more teeth that are missing, the greater the benefits of using dental implants. Many people use removable partial dentures which clip onto remaining healthy teeth. A removable partial will put stress on those teeth and may weaken them. The clasps also promote decay and can be uncomfortable.

In addition, when you are missing several teeth, your body senses the loss and begins to dissolve away the bone that supported that tooth, to use the minerals elsewhere in the body. A dental implant will prevent that bone loss.

Missing All Teeth

The only satisfactory way to restore a mouth where all teeth are missing is with dental implants.

When a tooth is present in your jaw, it sends a signal to the bone that keeps the bone from being absorbed by the body. This is called the piezoelectric effect. Dental implants will send the same signal to the bone and keep it from being absorbed.

Without dental implants, a person who is missing all teeth will suffer facial collapse in a few years. This is a debilitating condition that causes the face to shrivel and can make it impossible to wear a denture.

Facial collapse can be restored with bone grafting and dental implants.

When you schedule a consultation, Dr. Chal will do a thorough examination and will discuss all your options. If you are a candidate for dental implants, he will explain all of your implant choices. If you aren't a candidate, he will present your other options. In any case, you will be able to ask all the questions you want.