Missing teeth can make it hard to eat, speak, or feel confident in your smile. If you’re looking for a permanent, natural-looking solution, dental implants may be exactly what you need.
At Oak Tree Dental, we’re dedicated to helping you make fully informed decisions about your dental care. If you’re wondering if dental implants are the right choice for your smile and overall health, we’re here for you. In this post, we’ll walk you through what makes someone a good candidate for our custom dental implants near Santa Rosa, and how we can help if you’re not quite ready yet.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed in the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Once the area heals, a custom-made crown is attached to the implant to restore the visible part of your tooth.
Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are fixed in place and function just like real teeth. They help preserve your jawbone and protect your overall oral health in the long term.
What Makes a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Every smile is different, but here are the five most important factors we consider:
1. Healthy Gums
Your gums help support the implant and keep the surrounding tissue strong. If you have gum disease, it’s important to treat it before moving forward with an implant. Active gum disease can interfere with the healing process and put the long-term success of your implants at risk. In many cases, gum disease treatment can restore your oral health and make you eligible for dental implants near Santa Rosa.
2. Sufficient Jawbone Density
Dental implants need a solid foundation. If your jawbone has weakened or shrunk after tooth loss, we may recommend a bone graft to build up the area. This can increase your chances of long-term success and improve how the final result looks and feels.
3. Tobacco Use
Smoking slows healing and increases the risk of implant failure. If you currently smoke, we’ll discuss your options. Some patients quit temporarily during the healing phase, while others use this opportunity to quit for good.
4. Stable Overall Health
Certain medications and some medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, immune system disorders, or blood clotting issues, can affect how well your body heals. We also need to make sure you’re physically able to tolerate the surgical process. We’ll review your medical history and work with your healthcare provider if needed.
5. Commitment to Oral Hygiene
Dental implants are low-maintenance, but they still need regular care. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and keeping up with regular cleanings and checkups are essential to keeping your implant (and the rest of your mouth) healthy.
What If I’m Not a Candidate for Dental Implants Right Now?
You’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. Many patients need a little extra preparation before they can move forward with implants. At Oak Tree Dental, we offer supportive care to get you there, including:
- Bone grafting to rebuild and strengthen the jaw
- Gum disease treatment to restore healthy tissue
- Tooth extraction and socket preservation if a tooth needs to come out first
- Custom timelines that work with your schedule, health, and budget
We’ll never rush you. Our goal is to help you move forward with dental implants near Santa Rosa confidently, knowing you’ve chosen a solution that supports your long-term oral health. If implants are not in the cards for you, there are non-surgical tooth replacement options including dental bridges and full and partial dentures so that you can enjoy a comfortable and confident smile that works for you.
Why Dental Implants Are Worth It
Dental implants offer life-changing benefits that other options can’t match. Here’s what our patients in Sebastopol and Santa Rosa love most about their implants:
- Permanent results – Implants are built to last decades with proper care
- Natural appearance – Your crown is color-matched to blend in with your smile
- Full function – You can eat, speak, and laugh just like you did before without being limited to a soft food diet
- Bone preservation – Implants stimulate the jaw, preventing the bone loss that often happens after tooth loss
- No shifting or slipping – Unlike dentures, implants stay firmly in place
For many people, dental implants feel like getting their natural teeth back, and that can have a powerful impact on your confidence and quality of life.
Want to Learn More? Let’s Talk.
If you’re thinking about dental implants in the Santa Rosa area, the first step is a personalized consultation with our team. We’ll answer your questions, review your health and smile goals, and help you decide if implants are the right choice for you.
Even if you’re not ready today, we’ll work with you every step of the way to get you there. Get in touch to schedule your consultation and find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Sebastopol, just 10 minutes from Santa Rosa. We’re here to help you smile with confidence again.
