Dental implants have been described as the next best thing to your natural teeth. Implants are created to have the look, function, and feel of your natural teeth. This allows you to be confident you talk, eat, and smile. Having dental implants may offer better long-term value than traditional teeth replacement options. But the question remains, are dental implants safe?

A Procedure That Has Been Used for More Than 50 Years

Oral health professionals have been performing dental implants for more than half a century. The first question they ask before performing this procedure on patients is, are dental implants safe for this patient and their particular condition?

In most situations, the answer to that question is yes. For dental implants to be safe, patients should be in good health and the procedure should be performed by a qualified professional, like a West Hollywood dental implant specialist.

Like any medical procedure, dental implants do pose a small degree of risk. Therefore, your dentist will want you to meet certain criteria before they recommend this as a course of treatment. The implant failure rate is low. Successes are high because patients must go through a screening process.

If you are a high-risk patient, your West Hollywood dental implant specialist will discuss any potential problems with you. If you are sensitive to metals that titanium could be alloyed with, including nickel, zinc, copper, or lead, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants.

To be eligible for dental implants, your gums should be healthy. You should have sufficient bone density to support the implant. You will need a cavity free mouth and a high level of oral health. Dental implants have a better chance of success for non-smokers.

Common Questions about Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants?

On its own, a dental implant is not a tooth. It is a prosthesis that can replace a missing tooth or teeth.

The implant is a small titanium post that gets inserted in your jawbone. On top of the post, a crown, bridge, or partial denture is attached. You may wonder, are dental implants safe for bone health? The answer is yes.

The implant is made from titanium. Titanium has a unique feature that allows it to fuse with bone, becoming virtually indistinguishable from your bone. Once the fusion happens, a structure called an abutment is connected to the implant. Then, the artificial tooth is attached.

The implant process can be divided into three parts.

1. Dental implant
2. Abutment
3. Artificial tooth

Are Dental Implants Safe for Everyone?

Just about any healthy individual who is missing one tooth or multiple teeth can safely have the dental implant procedure performed. Your West Hollywood dental implant specialist can help you by discussing your specific oral health needs.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

After asking if dental implants are safe, the second most popular question about dental implants is, how long do they last? The answer to that question will vary. Dental implants are not susceptible to tooth decay. However, you need healthy gums if your implants are going to be successful.

Your implants will last longer if you have your teeth cared for regularly by professionals and are conscientious about caring for your teeth. Everyone reacts to dental implants differently. Your medical history, your diagnosis, and the planning of your dental implants all play a role in the end results.

Are Dental Implants Safe If I Have Full Dentures or Partial Dentures?

Dr. Bruce Vafa, an award-winning dentist in West Hollywood, CA, has been helping patients in need of dental implants to restore their smiles. He has seen that dental implants are popular among patients who currently have partial or full dentures.

In addition to being safe, dental implants offer support and retention for removable dentures. This means that the denture can snap onto the implants. This can improve gum health, minimize the use of adhesives or denture glue, and give the patient increased confidence.

Dental implants can also serve as the base for fixed dentures. This is where the dentures are bolted into the implants through the titanium components. These permanent dentures can only be removed by a dentist.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The cost of dental implants will vary from patient to patient. No two patients or dental implant treatments are exactly alike. The number of appointments scheduled and the number of procedures needed will vary depending on the person’s health and the condition of their teeth.

It is difficult to pinpoint the cost of dental implants because, unlike other tooth replacement procedures, dental implants are customized for your teeth and mouth. Therefore, dental implants have a natural look.

The end cost of dental implants is comparable to what you would pay for other dental treatments when you factor in the life of the implant. Dental implants, if they are cared for appropriately, can last for the rest of your life. Other tooth replacement options might have a lower upfront cost. However, you will continue to pay to get them upgraded or replaced. So you will pay more for traditional tooth replacement treatments in the long run.

In general, replacing one tooth will cost between $3,000 and $4,500. If you see ads for exceptionally cheap dental implants, remember what they say when something sounds too good to be true.

When pricing dental implants, you want to ask the right questions from the specialist who will perform the procedure. Some of these questions include:

• Does the price include bone augmentation?
• Is soft tissue treatment, the crown, abutment, and an immediate/provisional load included in the price?
• Who manufactures the implant and the crown?

Any dentist can offer implants. But you should not trust your oral health to just anyone. Only use a credentialed implant dentist who has documented experience in performing the treatments that you need. Finding the right dentist for your implants minimizes upfront costs and long-term expense.

Your teeth affect everything from your smile to your ability to eat, speak, and engage in activities that give life meaning. Dr. Bruce Vafa is a top dentist in West Hollywood, CA. He and his team can work with you so that your dental implants are an investment you will love for life.