My dentist said there is a chance gum might shrink after the implant. Should I be concerned?

Question

I am considering doing a implant on a front tooth, my dentist said there is a chance gum might shrink after the implant and look ugly between the two front tooth. should I be concerned about that, is that a big chance for that to happen? also should i do a zirconia implant as oppose to a titaniam implant for best result cosmetically? where do I find a good implant dentist around LA area? my dentist says it will cost me $4000 plus to do a implant, but I also see advertising for $2000 or $1000

Elly Tehrani, DMD, MSD · Answer

There is always a chance of tissue /bone shrinkage around  implants that is why you need to see an experienced surgeon and dentist who will try to plan the case to reduce this risk by reinforcing these tissues during surgery. We dont have long term evidence on Zirconia implants. So at this time Titanium implant from a reputable company is your best option stay away from dentists that use Value implants to keep the cost down. And offer to do implants for 1000 !  You dont want to be anyone's practice case , especially if you are concerned about the esthetics and front tooth you are lucky, in LA you have amazing surgeonslook up Dr Javanovic The entire team of doctors teach at USC/ UCLA/ Loma Linda universities. They are the best you can get in terms of esthetics. Good luck

Vicki Borowski, DDS · Answer

There is a slight chance that the implant could become exposed after a period of time. If the implant is placed properly the chances can be minimized. All implants are titanium but the abutment head can be made out of zirconia, titanium or gold. In the front of the mouth either gold or zirconia are most ideal. There are many great dentists in the LA area. The dental school at UCLA can be a good resource in addition to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Most importantly don't look for the lowest price in this case. It is your front tooth and you will have to live with the final results for a long time.

Shawn Hofkes, DDS · Answer

Implants placed in the front area (in the esthetic zone) can be challenging.  Proper evaluation of bone and thickness of your gums is essential for a successful cosmetically pleasing result.  If your gums are too thin or have a defect of bone under the gums, it may require a gum tissue graft (connective tissue graft).  This should reduce the chances of gums "shrinking" in that highly esthetic zone.  Titanium implants are perfectly fine for any area in the mouth and have highly advanced surface technology for bone to implant integration.  For a front tooth, you really want to consider a zirconia abutment which is the connection between the implant and the crown.  This is important for esthetics. When it comes to pricing and implants:  you get what you pay for really.  There are tons of different implants out there.  You probably want one placed in your mouth that's been around for awhile and tops in the industry.  Straumann, Nobel, Astra....Hope this helps!Shawn Hofkes DDS

My dentist said there is a chance gum might shrink after the implant. Should I be concerned?

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My dentist said there is a chance gum might shrink after the implant. Should I be concerned?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.