Are Dental Implants Right For You?
Woodland Hills, CA

The world has been in rapid progression, our technology has advanced, our medical knowledge has advanced, and we have made huge strides in oral health. Along with these advancements has been improved techniques and long-term dental restorations. Dental implants is a technique that has come from advanced medical knowledge, allowing our patients to have successful long-term restorations. Working with Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, such as our team at Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, means that you are getting knowledgeable and highly skilled care. We encourage our patients to ask questions and be informed, before surgery. We want you to feel comfortable in the work that we do, knowing with a surety that this procedure is right for you, and what your options are.

As you research dental implants, you may be surprised to learn that dental implants are an acceptable procedure for most of our patients. Before treatment, we will perform a full examination, reviewing 3D digital x-rays, and review your overall health. The placement of dental implants is a minimally invasive procedure, making it open to even our more medically delicate patients. The biggest concern when choosing a candidate is ensuring that the patient can heal properly. Dr. Robert G. Hale and Dr. James P. Jensvold will review your medical history with you, be sure to make us aware of any and all medical information, whether you feel it is relevant or not, including if the patient smokes cigarettes or tobacco. There are certain medical or dental conditions, medications, and tobacco use, that can decrease your ability to heal properly. If you suffer from any of these conditions, this will not eliminate you from surgery but may mean that some adjustments need to be made.

Dr. Robert G. Hale and Dr. James P. Jensvold are happy to review your overall health with you, and suggest changes, or even discuss adjustments with your physician, to prepare you for surgery. Dental implants are a viable option for a majority of our patients, we have successfully placed implants in patients with conditions including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, we simply need to ensure that they are in a position to properly heal.

Some of the medical and dental conditions that may require preparatory steps to be taken before surgery include:

• Diabetes: Having diabetes does not exclude you from having a dental implant placed, but having uncontrolled diabetes might. We would want to ensure that the patients have their diabetes under control before surgery. This will help them heal properly.
• Cancer Treatment: A patient currently under treatment for cancer may not be in the best medical condition to be able to heal as they need to for implant surgery. We will need to review your case, your medication, and possibly speak with your physician before treatment.
• Medications: Please inform us of any and all medications that you are taking, even if it seems irrelevant. Some medications decrease your ability to heal, we may be able to request adjustments in these medications to allow for better healing.
• Gum Disease: A patient who is suffering from periodontitis or gum disease is not in a healthy position for oral surgery. Gum disease is an active bacterial infection, we would not want to chance your surgical implant site to become infected.
• Smoking: You may not be aware, but smoking causes a paralysis to the gum tissue in your mouth. This will decrease your ability to heal properly. If you smoke, we will need to discuss a plan to limit or cease smoking for a certain period before surgery.

Our team, including Dr. Robert G. Hale and Dr. James P. Jensvold, want to help you be successful in your oral health. Dental implants are a great way to do just that. If you would like more information, contact our Woodland Hills office at: (818) 999-0900