Aesthetic Implants

So what does it take to make an implant look just like a real tooth?

If an implant is positioned in the front part of the mouth where teeth are clearly visible during smiling and talking, or aesthetic zone, it's important that it look natural and aesthetically pleasing.

The trick is to make it look so that it blends in with the other teeth. An aesthetic dental implant that sticks out and calls attention to itself defeats the purpose of the implant.

So how is this accomplished?

The short answer is planning. Every aspect of the implant procedure must be preplanned and the doctor must have a clear vision of how the implant should look before they start any procedures. This requires an experienced doctor, who knows what to look for and how to avoid potential pitfalls.

In the aesthetic zone, the surgeon has only one shot at getting it right. If things don't go according to plan, or if there are complications, then it becomes very difficult if not impossible to correct the situation.

I see a number of patients in my practice for second opinions to repair or correct implants that were not placed correctly. In most situations, the errors could have been prevented by proper planing.

For more information on finding the right doctor for you, please see our guide to Choosing an Excellent Dental Surgeon.

If you have any other questions or comments regarding this article, please contact us at (310) 553-2940 or by email at periodontics@earthlink.net.