Dental Implant Candidacy

A dental implant is, generally, a titanium cylinder that's used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or support restorations to replace an entire arch of teeth. The first step to placing a dental implant is to do appropriate pre-treatment diagnosis using digital models, 3D imaging, and 3D designing of replacing the teeth. Placement of dental implants requires additional training focused in the field of dental implantology. Dental implants are commonly placed by general dentists and dental specialists, such as oral surgeons or periodontists. If you're missing a single tooth, you would be an ideal candidate for a dental implant. If you're missing multiple teeth, those are often good candidates for dental implants. The dental implants can also be used to support or stabilize dentures or partial dentures. Placement of the dental implant is generally a short procedure, usually about 30 minutes. After placing the dental implant, it often requires healing of a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks. In some cases, a dental restoration can be placed immediately on the dental implant if it's in an area that would dictate that, for example, in the front of the mouth. Recovery from the surgery generally is very minimal, if any at all. Most patients would return to work the following day. Patients are very excited to have that missing tooth replaced. Often without the tooth, they had compromised function, and they enjoy being able to return to normal function having had the dental implant placed.