Q: My parents had terrible teeth and now wear dentures. Will the same happen to me?

A: No! Losing teeth is not normal for anyone. It can often be the result of poor oral hygiene or an underlying medical problem. There is no reason why you cant keep all your teeth with proper home care and regular visits to the dentist and your family doctor. Many of us did not care for our teeth when we were younger and so the teeth are weakened by large restorations. If extensive decay has set in, or a tooth has a very large restoration, it is possible the tooth may fracture and need to be extracted. You should know there are multiple options for replacing missing teeth. We will always give you all options with risks and benefits of each before proceeding with treatment.

Q: I am missing a tooth and would like to have an implant placed. Is an implant right for me?

A: Implants (titanium false roots) are an ideal options for patients to replace missing teeth. Most healthy individuals are candidates. 95% of implants are successful, meaning they integrate into the bone. Integration takes approximately 6-8 weeks, at which time a final restoration can be placed on the implant. Smokers are generally not good candidates for dental implants. With other patients, bone grafts or sinus lifts may be necessary to place an implant. Each of these procedures can be done in our office in Downingtown by our resident dentists or specialists.

Q: I was told I am not a candidate for implants. What are my other options?

A: If you are not a candidate for dental implants, we may be able to replace a few missing teeth with a bridge or partial denture.