Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?
West Linn, OR
 If you have a missing tooth or have lost multiple teeth due to decay or extractions, dental implants may seem like the best restorative treatment. Dental implants function and look exactly like your natural teeth, so they effectively maintain your bite, smile, and the health of your jawbone. Taking care of your dental implants is as convenient as taking care of your natural teeth.
Before you opt for dental implants, the only question remains: am I a candidate for dental implants?
Since a dental implant requires oral surgery, some things need to be checked ahead of time to ensure that the procedure is a success. Here are a few factors that will help you determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
Sufficient Bone Density
To successfully get dental implants, you need to have enough density of the jawbone to support the implant. Since a dental implant is placed in the jawbone, the procedure will be a success only if your jawbone is strong and healthy enough to support the dental implant.
Sometimes, patients may be interested in getting a dental implant; however, they have had missing teeth for several years since they have been lost or extracted. In that case, the jawbone may have experienced deterioration, and some of the bone may have been lost. Hence, their jawbone is not strong enough to support the dental implant.
However, the good news is that even if you don’t have a strong enough jaw bone to support an implant, certain procedures such as bone grafting can improve the health of your jawbone and increase the likelihood of successful dental implants. After a bone graft procedure, you may be able to proceed with the dental implant process.
Good Gum Health
Apart from the strength and health of your jawbone, good gum health is also integral to the success of dental implants. Since dental implants are placed into your gums, the procedure will be successful only if you have healthy gums. Hence, if you are dealing with periodontal disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, it’s important to get treatment for these conditions before considering restorative dentistry.
Good Overall Health
Dental implants require oral surgery, and like any other surgery, you must be in good health. Patients who have health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or have alcohol or nicotine dependence may not make a good candidate for dental implants. Since good overall oral health is necessary for dental implants, smokers may not qualify for the procedure as smoking greatly slows the healing process.
However, if your diabetes is under control and you have quit smoking, you can still be a candidate for dental implants.
Get in Touch for a Consultation Today!
While we have shared some of the factors that will help you determine whether you make a good candidate for dental implants, the best way to confirm is to see a dental professional. If you are considering restorative dentistry for your missing teeth, get in touch with Roane Family Dental.
We offer restorative dentistry solutions, so we will be happy to assess your candidacy. Call us at (503) 657-1215 to set up your consultation at our dental office today.
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