Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants offer many benefits compared to dentures and dental bridges. An implant is a stable and durable tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions very similarly to a natural tooth due to its artificial tooth root. However, it is an invasive restorative treatment because the implant is surgically placed into the jawbone. In this blog post, we discuss several factors we consider before approving a patient to receive dental implants.

Jawbone Strength

One of the most important things that our team will assess before you receive a dental implant is the current state of your jawbone. When one or more teeth have been missing for a long time, that section of the jawbone is no longer receiving the stimulation that it needs to keep the bone growing. A strong and healthy jawbone is crucial for dental implants. Without sufficient jawbone strength, an implant cannot remained anchored in the jawbone, which can lead to implant failure. Fortunately, bone graft procedures may be used in certain situations to restore jawbone health before a patient’s implant surgery.

Health History

We also look at a patient’s overall health and lifestyle. Patients who are struggling with other health problems, including gum disease, usually need to wait to receive their implants or go with an alternative restorative method. Autoimmune disorders, type 2 diabetes, and blood disorders can make it difficult for patients to recover after dental implant surgery as they can cause delayed healing.

Tobacco Use

Smokers should plan to quit smoking before their implant placement. Tobacco suppresses your immune system and impairs healing by restricting blood flow to your gums. Smoking can increase your risk of both gum disease and implant failure. It also dries out the mouth, which increases the amount of bacteria in the mouth. It’s best to keep your teeth and gums as clean and healthy before and after an implant procedure.

Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation!

Not sure if dental implants are right for your smile? Please schedule a consultation with our team! We can go over all of your questions and concerns and assess your current health status, medical history, and lifestyle to see if dental implants are right for you.

Categorized in: Restorative Dentistry