If your teeth are on the verge of falling out, you’re missing one or more teeth, or you’ve been wearing dentures for several years, you could be a good candidate for dental implants.
Dental implants are arguably the best replacement for natural teeth. These implants are inserted into the jaw bone, and it’s difficult to tell that they aren’t real. That means that you must have an adequate amount of bone to support the implants in your jaw.
Most people are good candidates for implants. However, there are situations where dental implants may not work for you, like when you’re pregnant, or if your jaw bones haven’t stopped growing. In this article, we’ll explore various factors that determine whether or not dental implants are suitable for you. If you are looking for a dentist who can help you with your dental implant needs, click here.
Factors That Promote Dental Implants Success
Your prosthodontist will consider various factors to ensure a successful implant procedure. The factors include:
Presence of enough jawbone –
Since dental implants are screwed into the jawbone, adequate bone density and quality is essential for dental implant success. If you don’t have sufficient bone support, your prosthodontist may recommend bone grafts or mini implants.
Healthy gums –
You need healthy gums to ensure proper support of your new implants as they fuse with the jawbone. If you’re susceptible to periodontal disease, your dental implant is highly likely to fail. Proper cleaning should be done before implant placement.
Good overall health –
Keep in mind that dental implants are placed through a surgical procedure, so you must be in excellent health. If you smoke, drink alcohol, or are diabetic, there’s a high chance dental implants will fail.
These conditions undermine oral health, which in turn affects the implant’s healing process. If your diabetes is adequately controlled, however, you may still be a good candidate for dental implants.
Commitment to uphold good oral hygiene –
Good oral hygiene is essential for the success of dental implants. It’s vital that you commit yourself to daily brushing and flossing. You also need to go for regular dental check-ups to keep both the implants and natural teeth healthy.
Patience –
Patience is key to the success of dental implants. Your mouth can take up to six months to completely heal after the procedure itself. The whole process of placing implants can take about four months to one year to fully complete. You need to be patient throughout the process to achieve the desired results.
The best way to find out whether you are a good candidate for dental implants is to consult with a qualified prosthodontist. Your prosthodontist will typically carry out a thorough evaluation to determine whether implants will solve your particular dental problem effectively.
Evaluation –
During the evaluation, your prosthodontist will examine your mouth, jaw, teeth, and general health. You’ll also undergo a mouth X-ray and probably a Computer Tomography (CT) scan. This is necessary for identifying the area of bone loss.
X-ray and CT scan also help in determining the shape of your sinuses and locating your nerves to ensure accurate assessments for your treatment. A medical evaluation is necessary as your overall health can affect the healing process after the surgical procedure. You prosthodontist needs to know whether you have any untreated condition or you have a condition such as anemia or diabetes.
He also needs to know whether you’re using any medications currently that may affect the effectiveness of the anesthesia.
What About People Who Aren’t Good Candidates for Dental Implants?
You may not be a good candidate for dental implants if you fall into any of the following categories:
- Pregnant women
- Young people with growing jawbones
- Individuals with chronic ailments or systemic problems, such as uncontrolled diabetes, hemophilia, and connective-tissue disease.
- Heavy smokers – smoking impedes the healing process and may result in implant failure
- Individual with bruxism (teeth grinding) problem – This habit can exert excessive pressure on the implants, thereby increasing the risk of failure.
Conclusion
Most people are good candidates for dental implants, but they must have adequate jawbone to support the implants, healthy gums, and good overall health. A prosthodontist has to carry out a thorough evaluation, including X-ray and CT scan to ascertain if dental implants are a suitable solution.
Pregnant women, children whose jawbones are still growing, heavy smokers, and individuals with chronic diseases may not be suitable candidates for implants. However, some conditions may still work with implants depending on their severity. A consultation with a qualified prosthodontist will help you make the right decision.