FAQs about Dental Implants

Dental implants are quickly becoming the most popular way to replace missing teeth, but many people still have questions about them. At Lakeshore Family Dentistry in White Bear Lake, MN, dental implants are proudly offered as a way to restore your smile. Below, our dentists, Dr. Scott Kron and Dr. Jason Ross, provide answers to some of the questions they hear from their patients who are interested in dental implants.

How are dental implants placed?

To place a dental implant, your White Bear Lake dentist will make a small indentation in your jawbone where the post will go. This post, made from a lightweight metal that poses very little risk for allergic reaction, acts as the "roots" of the implant, becoming integrated with the jawbone over a period of months. Once it's firmly in place, it will become the anchor for the rest of the implant - the abutment and the crown.

Do children ever need dental implants?

Unless a permanent tooth is congenitally missing, your White Bear Lake dentist usually reserves dental implant placement for older patients who would normally have a full set of adult teeth. For children and teens, we find it's best to let the natural eruption and loss of teeth run its course. If a tooth is accidentally lost before it's ready and the space needs to be filled in for cosmetic reasons, partial denture appliances - also called "flippers" - are an option.

Are dental implants painful?

Having a dental implant placed is normally a simple process that is made easier with the same type of anesthetic that your White Bear Lake dentist uses for cavity fillings and other procedures. In fact, many of our patients at Lakeshore Family Dentistry are surprised at the ease of the placement and the uncomplicated recovery due to the post completely sealing off the incision. If you're still feeling nervous about your procedure, medication can be given to help you relax.

To learn more about how dental implants can help you look and feel better, call our office in White Bear Lake, MN, to schedule an appointment with one of the dentists at Lakeshore Family Dentistry today.