They're having old fillings replaced, receding gums treated and, especially as they age, considering options like dental implants. One of the drawbacks is the length of time it can take, nearly a year from start to finish. Even if you have patience, dental implants aren't for everyone. Dr. Joanne Dawley, president of the Detroit District Dental Society, warns that you have to be in good general health, with strong gums and enough bone to support implants. They're also inadvisable for people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, which may interfere with healing, or for smokers, who are at greater risk than nonsmokers for gum disease.
Implants can also be expensive.
Most insurance companies refuse to pay for them, says Dr. David Sarment, clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. A single implant costs about three to four times as much as a traditional bridge, which attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth. Dr. Albert Wesley of the Hope Institute of Mich. checks the teeth of patient who had teeth implants installed. A restorative dentist, Wesley practices in Southfield. Implant dentistry is not a formal specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.