The most trusted
and well-regarded
dental specialists in Bell, CA

To schedule an appointment, call (323)773-5029
Address: 4327 Gage Avenue Bell, CA 90201

dental implants bell ca

Missing teeth can be embarrassing; in fact, when you are missing teeth in the front of your mouth, you may not smile as big or want to laugh out loud when you are around a crowd of people. If you are missing a tooth, you have probably discussed what can be done with your Los Angeles dentist. For most, dental implants in Bell, CA is going to be the best course of action, but your dentist at gage Dental Care is going to need to do a consultation with you to make sure that you are eligible for the procedure.

There are two different types of implants that are common with dentists in Bell, CA, and your consultation will help your dentist determine if you are a candidate for either a bridge implant that connects to your existing teeth or a full-fledged implant that will affix to your gums. Both are great ways to close a gap in your mouth, but what makes you a candidate for getting dental implants?

 

Individuals with Healthy Gums

When you get a dental implant, you are replacing your missing tooth, which means that there needs to be some way that the tooth connects to your mouth. That being said, a screw will be inserted into your gums to serve as the root of the tooth that you are replacing. If you have gum disease or your gums are deteriorating too much, then the screw may not be able to be secured in your gums, which means that the tooth or teeth that connect to it will not be stable either.

The last thing that you want is a wobbly tooth, so you need to have healthy gums to support the implant. Los Angeles dentists who perform dental implants in Bell, CA will check to see how healthy your gums are during your consultation. If your gums are questionable, then a bridge may be suggested instead.

Individuals with Good Bone Density

Your gums alone will not be able to secure the implant. Think of it this way, when an individual loses their bone density because of an illness like cancer, they will begin to lose their teeth because there is nothing securing them in place. The same is true of an implant, which is why your dentist in Bell, CA will take an x-ray of your mouth during the consultation to see if there is enough bone in your jaw to anchor the implants in place. If the density of your bones is not where it needs to be to get an implant, you may still be a possible candidate if your dentist recommends the procedure, but you will need to have the bones in this area of your jaw rebuilt and restructured.

Individuals Who Are Done Growing

The main reason that children are not recommended for dental implants is that their jaw bones are not done growing, and anchoring an implant at a young age could cause damage to their developing jaw bone. That being said, most females should be 15 years of age before a dentist even considers a dental implant. Males should actually be about 17 years of age to ensure that their jaw bone is finished growing.

It is also advisable to wait until adulthood for an implant because a youngster may not have the dental hygiene that is required to take care of an implant. You need to take care of the surrounding gums as well because implants are designed to last for life, but if your gums are no longer healthy, the implant is able to remain where it was positioned. Brushing and flossing is a daily requirement, but you will also need to have regular follow up visits to make sure that everything looks all right with the implant.

Who is Not the Best Candidate?

Unfortunately, everyone who needs a dental implant in Bell, CA and the surrounding area is not an ideal candidate for the procedure. This includes individuals who are pregnant, who smoke excessively, who have uncontrolled diabetes, who have an immune deficiency, or any other health concern that your dentist feels would hinder the healing process or the acceptance of the transplant.

In addition, anyone who has a habit of clenching or grinding their teeth may not be the best candidate either because putting a lot of excess pressure on the implant can cause unwanted complications. If you feel that you are a candidate for a dental implant, then ask your Gage Dental Care dentist in Bell, CA to schedule an appointment to discuss it.