Are Dental Implants Right for You?

dental implants

I have heard so much about getting teeth-in-a-day with dental implants. How do I know if I am a candidate?

Deciding to transition to teeth supported by dental implants should be easy considering all the advantages and few disadvantages. The process with any type of implant treatment may vary depending on the type of treatment and the quality of bone you have. Knowing if you are a candidate and proceeding with treatment requires a well-trained dentist in implantology.

If you have good quality, dense bone and/or you are placing multiple implants in an area, temporary teeth may be added immediately.

These temporary teeth would be best for looks only and putting too much force on them early could cause them to fail. The dentist would allow healing to occur and then a more permanent structure can be placed at the best timing.

If you have moderate-to poor-quality bone, and/or you are placing one or few implants, it is best to wait for a healing period of 2-6 months before placing a tooth or teeth on those implants.

You will want to see a dentist who can evaluate you fully, especially with 3-D technology and digital planning, before proceeding with such treatment. Cases like these depend on a thorough work-up prior to treatment being started. Otherwise, you are cutting corners, moving too quickly and risking great long-term success.  

About the author

Stacey Sparkman Hall, D.D.S.

Dr. Stacey Hall brings her unique outlook on dental care and her personable optimism to the Williamsburg Center for Dental Health. With nine years of solid dental expertise as a dentist in Williamsburg, she decided in early 2011 to branch out and open her own local practice. After completing her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in 1998, Dr. Hall graduated from VCU’s MCV School of Dentistry in 2002, receiving her D.D.S. She is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and was awarded member fellowship to the International Congress of Oral Implantology in 2008. She leads the elite Tidewater Dawson Study Club and is a scholar with the interntaionally renowned Dawson Academy. As a Dawson ambassador, Dr. Hall also assists in the training of students in the Dawson Academy. Stacey and her husband Michael have been blessed with three beautiful girls, Lanie, Gracie and Abbie. She is a loyal Virginia Tech Football fan, and enjoys Bible study and missions work.