Can't get used to the change in your smile after tooth loss? Consider replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, the world's latest and greatest tooth restoration method. Dentists Dr. Dan Isaacson and Dr. Mike Weisbrod of Isaacson Gentle Dentistry in White Bear Lake, MN, offer dental implants and other treatments you need to maintain a healthy smile.

Who can benefit from dental implants?

Your White Bear Lake dentist takes several factors into consideration when deciding if dental implants are a good option for you including:

• Jawbone Depth: Dental implants are tiny titanium posts added to your jawbone during minor oral surgery. The posts serve as artificial roots and eventually support dental crowns. Before a crown can be added to the top of a dental implant, the post must fully bond to the surrounding jawbone. Unfortunately, normal bonding may not occur if your jawbone isn't deep enough to support the implant. Although poor jawbone depth is definitely a setback, it doesn't have to prevent you from receiving an implant. In many cases, your dentist can add bone grafts to deepen and strengthen the bone.
• General Health: Good health is particularly important if you're planning to replace a tooth with an implant. Certain conditions, diseases, and habits can slow healing and cause your implant to fail at bonding properly. Dental implants may not be recommended if you have uncontrolled diabetes, smoke, have an immune system disorder or take prescription medications that suppress your immune system.
• The State of Your Gums: Although your jawbone holds your implant in place, your gums will also help support your synthetic root. If you have gum disease, you'll need to receive treatment before beginning the implant process.
• The Number of Missing Teeth: Limits often apply to other restoration options. Dentures are a good idea if you've lost all your teeth, while bridges are used to replace one or two teeth. However, there are no limits with dental implants, as they can be used to replace any number of missing teeth and offer an alternative to removable dentures. Implants, whether they're single implants or implant-supported dentures, don't move when you chew and may feel more like natural teeth than other options.

Fill the gaps in your smile with dental implants! Call White Bear Lake, MN, dentists Dr. Dan Isaacson and Dr. Mike Weisbrod of Isaacson Gentle Dentistry at (651) 762-7677 to schedule your appointment.