Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Are you missing one tooth or many? Are you ready to get back to enjoying a complete, fully functioning smile? Then chances are, you are a great candidate for dental implants! Here are some things you need to know about qualifying for and receiving implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium posts. They are placed into the jawbone to mimic a missing natural tooth’s root. Implants are made from a biocompatible material, so the posts fuse with the bone over time. Once the implants are in place, a connective piece is attached to each one to host a replacement tooth above the gum line.

Dental Implant Candidacy

Most patients who are missing teeth are great candidates for dental implants. However, there are some things that our dentists will look at before moving forward with the process.

Jawbone Health: Patients who have been missing teeth for an extended period of time may have poor jawbone health. When teeth are lost, the jawbone begins to disintegrate due to a lack of stimulation. A bone graft would be needed to strengthen the jawbone before placing the implants.

Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can negatively affect patients with dental implants. It can put them at a higher risk of getting an infection.

Overall Health: Patients suffering from more serious health concerns, such as cancer or diabetes, will need to speak with their dentist and their general physician to ensure that they qualify for dental implants. Health issues can cause complications for patients during the dental implant process.

Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco are huge risk factors for patients looking to get implants. Tobacco usage can have adverse effects on the treatment and affect the healing process from dental implants.

Dental Implants in Oakboro, NC

Are you looking into getting dental implants and wondering if you’re a good candidate? Please feel free to contact us to set up your dental implant consultation. Our Oakboro Family Dentistry team will help you determine which tooth replacement option is right for your needs!

Categorised in: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry