By: Alex A. Farnoosh, D.M.D., M.S.D., Ph.D.
The desire for a beautiful smile motivates many men and women in our area to consult with a Beverly Hills periodontist. One of the most common questions that I receive at my practice: “What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?” Whether lost through a sports injury or removed due to an infection, a missing tooth, particularly in the front of your mouth, can make you embarrassed to smile.
One of the best ways to replace a missing tooth for a beautiful, natural-looking smile is with a dental implant. To help you decide whether this option is right for you, I’ve provided the basics below:
- A good candidate for a dental implant has healthy gums, without periodontal disease.
- There must be sufficient bone in the targeted area so that I can anchor the implants. However, if a patient does not have that requirement, I often can perform a bone graft to create adequate foundation for placement of an implant.
- A dental implant can do more than replace a single tooth: I have often performed this procedure to replace dentures or a bridge.
- In contrast to dentures or bridges, dental implants feel, appear and function just like your own teeth, making them one of the most desirable procedures for replacing missing teeth or ending the frustration often caused by improperly fitted or “clicking” dentures.
To determine whether this procedure is right for you, I recommend consulting with an experienced periodontist.