Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

With few Exceptions, Implants Work for Everyone

Age Limits for Implants:

Dental implants should not be done until the patient has completed their growth, typically age 16 to 17 in females and 18 to 21 in males. Some older patients fear their jaw bone is too weak. The fact is dental implants are equally successful and have an excellent prognosis in any adult patient.  No one is too old for dental implants, and for many, improvement in chewing and aesthetics adds confidence and quality to their lives. Implants have been done successfully in patients over 85 years old.

Implants in Patients with Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis does not affect the health of the jaw bone, and dental implants are equally effective and successful.

Can Dental Implants be Rejected?

Rejection does not occur with dental implants. Our overall success rate for dental implants is 99% with almost 50 years of clinical research to back them up.  Because implants are made of  biologically compatible “bone-friendly” titanium material, they naturally heal and integrate with the surrounding tissues.

What if I Don’t Have Enough Bone?

The jaw bone undergoes significant shrinkage following the third month after tooth loss and can continue up to 12 months. If the extraction site was not grafted at the time, there might be an inadequate amount of bone for implant placement. Bone grafting is a highly successful and predictable treatment option to augment missing bone and build a proper foundation for the necessary implants.

Dental Implants Success in Smokers:

Studies show an increased risk of complications if patients smoke during the initial phases of implant healing. However, once healed and integrated, there is good long term success. It is advised to stop smoking for 2-3 months following dental implant placement for optimal results.

Medical Conditions Requiring Special Precautions:

  • Patients with immune deficiency disorder
  • Post-radiation therapy to head and neck region
  • Post-chemotherapy
  • Uncontrolled diabetes: Patients with diabetes may successfully have dental implants as long as they are well controlled. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes can experience poor healing and implant failure, therefore, should seek medical care prior to implant placement.

Implant and Grafting Safety:

Extractions, grafting, and implants are quite safe and predictable and complications can be avoided when the procedure is performed by a trained, skillful, and experienced oral surgeon using specialized instruments and techniques. Dr. Kazemi specializes in these procedures and has performed them successfully on thousands of patients.  Our office is designed and equipped for such surgical procedures, and the team assisting Dr. Kazemi are trained specifically for them. Methodical, exacting, and detailed protocols are followed strictly to make sure every patient is safe and has a remarkable experience.

Dental implants are made of biologically compatible “bone-friendly” titanium material that naturally heals and integrates with the surrounding tissues.  Because titanium is accepted so well by the human body, it is also used for orthopedic implants, such as hip and knee replacements.

Choosing the Right Dentist for Implants:

Teeth replacement with dental implants requires the  collaborative efforts of a surgeon and a restorative dentist and dental laboratory. Dental implant surgery is a highly skilled discipline, best performed by oral surgeons who are well trained and perform this procedure daily. Dr. Kazemi specializes in dental implant placement and has performed it successfully on thousands of patients. The prosthetic aspect (crown, bridge, etc.) is performed by your restorative dentist who may be a general dentist or a prosthodontist, a specialist trained in more complex aesthetic and reconstructive restorative dentistry.

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