Did you know that according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, an estimated 5 million dental implants are placed in the U.S. annually? These restorations continue to gain popularity because they’re such a resilient and reliable way to replace missing teeth. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they are embedded directly in your jawbone for added strength and stability.
At Smile312, our Chicago dental team is dedicated to providing exceptional care for every smile. From routine checkups to advanced treatments, we combine expertise, compassion, and modern technology to keep your teeth healthy and your experience stress-free. Discover dentistry that puts your comfort and wellness first.
However, that doesn’t make them the best solution for everyone. Before proceeding, you must consult your dentist to verify whether you’re a good candidate. Continue reading to learn about 3 problems that might prevent you from moving forward!
Many patients don’t realize that their jawbone starts thinning when teeth fall out. Your roots stimulate new bone growth in your jaw every time you bite down or chew to keep it active and healthy. When one or more goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year.
Dental implants involve surgically placing titanium rods which eventually fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This allows them to function as sturdy standalone structures, but if your jaw is too thin, you might not complete this stage of recovery successfully. Thankfully, in some cases, a bone graft procedure can potentially bulk it up enough to continue with your elected treatment once you’ve healed.
Although these prosthetics can’t get cavities, you must still demonstrate a commitment to oral hygiene to be considered a good candidate. Your gums and any remaining teeth are still vulnerable to common problems like cavities and periodontal disease, so you’ll need to keep your mouth clean to safeguard your smile.
This is especially true after your surgery because bacteria in your mouth can infect the implant site, or you could develop a progressive form of gum disease called peri-implantitis, which is the number one leading cause of failure. If your dentist finds signs of tooth decay or other issues during your initial consultation, they’ll work with you to clear those up first before proceeding.
Because getting dental implants involves oral surgery, your provider needs to confirm that your body can safely withstand the procedure before approving it. After all, they wouldn’t want to provide a beautiful new replacement tooth at the cost of your overall health.
For example, diabetes can impact your body’s ability to heal after your treatment and also is associated with a higher risk of gum disease, meaning failure is more likely. Other medications and conditions, like cancer, blood clotting disorders, and autoimmune diseases might also negatively affect your body’s ability to successfully undergo surgery and heal sufficiently afterward.
If you’re unsure whether you can safely get dental implants, the best way to find out is to contact your dentist to schedule a consultation!
Dr. Harvey Mahler has 30+ years of experience helping families near Chicago build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his dental degree from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry, and is affiliated with several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association. Today, he offers a complete menu of services at one convenient location, including dental implants. He partners with the best local surgeons to ensure accurate placement, then provides a resilient restoration designed to look and feel lifelike. You can start the journey to rebuilding your grin by requesting an appointment on the website or by calling (312) 224-9916.
Our patients’ satisfaction is our top priority. From routine checkups to advanced dental care, we make sure every smile leaves our office healthier and happier.
Loved my visit friendly staff and Dr. Mahler is so knowledgeable he listened and asked me great questions about my health
Thanks Dr. Mahler and the dental assistants for providing a professional and excellent service. Update: Dr. Mahler is the best dentist I have had after I visited some other dentists. He is very patient, professional, knowledgeable and trustworthy. He fixed my old crown and recommended another oral surgery expert Dr. Zager... read more
Dr Mahler and his staff at Smile 312 are the best. They’re friendly, and they listen to all your concerns and they respect your time. I went to see Dr Mahler for TMJ treatment and from day one his recommendations have made a big difference on my discomfort level.... read more
I’ve been a happy patient of Smile 312 for 20 years. Seeing Dr. Mahler really changed the trajectory of my oral health. Charming office, personable staff, painless procedures, and efficiently ran - Very minimum wait time, if any! I’m spoiled for sure.
Just had my first visit to Smile 312 in the Loop—spotless office, friendly staff, and they’ve got Netflix to keep you entertained. Went in for a cleaning and check-up; dropped about $150 after insurance, which felt fair. They broke down the costs and insurance stuff clearly. Scheduling was easy, and... read more
312 Smile is the best, they are definitely 5 star, they always take good care of their patients dental needs. 😊
I went in for an appointment to start the process of getting Invisalign, ended up finding out about other more important issues going on in my mouth. Thanks Dr. M. for being honest and candid about the health of my teeth and gums. Health is more important than aesthetics!
Our entire family have had an excellent experience with Dr. Mahler and his staff over the past 20 years. The office staff is always polite and efficient. Appointments have been easy to schedule, and we have rarely waited even a few minutes to be seen once in the office. Dr. Mahler... read more
Great expertise. A 1 in a million phenomenon. The destroyer of TMJ. Other dentists tremble at the sound of the name doctor Mahler (and I’m not talking about the weight loss doctor in Lockport) because they know they cannot compete no matter how hard they try.
Dr. Mahler has been my dentist for over 20 years. He is very proactive at planning the next step of treatment. He managed a complex dental implant and bridge situation for me. He also has put plans in place for my daughters and we have been able to avoid orthodontics.
