Are you seeking a reliable and long-lasting solution for tooth loss? If so, you might be a good candidate for dental implants. Unlike alternatives, such as dentures and dental bridges, these replacements are embedded in your jawbone to function more like the natural teeth that went missing.
Although many experts consider implants the ideal way to restore smiles, that doesn’t mean this procedure is the best option for meeting everyone’s unique needs. Before proceeding, you must consult your provider to ensure you’re a good candidate. Read on to learn about 3 characteristics they look for in ideal patients!
Trait #1: Good General Health
Dental implants are unique because they’re the only restorations that involve surgically placing a support rod into your jaw. This procedure involves making an incision in your gums to insert the pole, so before proceeding, your dentist will need to update your medical history to ensure that you’re healthy enough to undergo the surgery successfully.
For instance, they will need to know about any current medical conditions or diagnoses or recent procedures you have undergone, and will need to list any current prescription drugs or supplements that you’re taking. This helps them avoid taking any action or prescribing medications that could negatively affect your overall well-being.
Trait #2: Commitment to Oral Hygiene
The dental implant procedure has a high success rate of over 90%, meaning most patients are unlikely to experience complications when they follow the provided post-operative instructions carefully. However, it’s essential to care for your teeth and gums before and after your surgery to help avoid potential problems.
For example, brushing and flossing twice daily are necessary to remove plaque and bacteria that can harm your new tooth if they’re allowed to thrive. For example, germs might penetrate the surgical site and develop peri-implantitis, an advanced stage of gum disease that is the leading cause of failure. As a result, your dentist might look for indicators that you can consistently maintain your dental health to avoid potential problems before approving your procedure.
Trait #3: Sufficiently Strong Jawbone
Once your implant is placed, it often takes about 3 to 6 months to recover because your mouth must generate enough new bone growth to fuse with this pole in a process called osseointegration. However, did you know that your jaw starts thinning after tooth loss? If it’s too thin or frail to begin with, you’re less likely to complete this stage of recovery successfully, and your restoration could fail.
Thankfully, your dentist can take X-rays or other scans to determine that the foundation of your mouth is strong enough to support your new tooth. If they find that it’s not, don’t lose hope! In many cases, an additional bone graft procedure can bulk it up enough to continue.
If you’re considering getting one or more dental implants but are unsure if you’re a good candidate for this treatment, the best way to find out is by scheduling a consultation with your provider!
About the Practice
Patients at Nikfar Family Dental benefit from a team of providers eager to help patients of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. They collaborate to deliver a comprehensive menu of services, including dental implant placement and restoration, to meet all your family’s needs conveniently under one roof. Their caring and compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (407) 900-2980.