Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, there is simply no better solution than a dental implant. If you have lost one of your natural teeth, you may be wondering if you qualify for this superior restorative treatment. The good news is that most people are good candidates for implant dentistry.

While only a professional evaluation can confirm your candidacy for dental implants, your chances are looking very good if the following applies to you:

You Are Missing One, Several or All of your Teeth

The most obvious criteria for dental implants is a missing tooth or teeth. Fortunately, dental implants are highly versatile, so they can be used as single-tooth replacement or full mouth restoration, such as when dental implants are used to anchor a full denture set.

Your Gums Are Healthy

Healthy gums are critical to support your dental implant and foster successful healing. Patients should be free of gum disease, whether it is mild gingivitis or advanced periodontitis. Once you get your gum health under control, you may qualify for dental implants.

You Have Enough Jawbone

A primary perquisite to dental implants is jawbone health. The jawbone must have adequate height and density to envelope and support a dental implant. This underlying bone can sometimes deteriorate if you have had missing teeth for a longer period of time or you suffered advanced gum disease that destroyed the jawbone. If your jawbone is not sufficient, however, you may opt for a bone grafting procedure prior to your implant surgery. In addition to density, the jawbone must also be full grown, which means there is often a certain age criteria before getting implants.

You Don’t Smoke

Smoking can drastically compromise your body’s healing process, especially when it comes to the soft oral tissues around your dental implant. If your implant doesn’t heal and fuse to the bone properly, you are at risk for implant failure. Patients must stop smoking for a recommended time before and after getting dental implants.

You Are in Good Overall Health

It is important that patients be healthy before undergoing implant surgery, as the body will need proper strength and stamina to support ideal healing. If you have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or other autoimmune diseases, it is critical that they are managed and well-controlled before getting dental implants. Likewise, if you take certain medications that suppress the immune system (such as steroids), you may not qualify for dental implants at this time.

You Don’t Grind Your Teeth

Your dental implants will be strong teeth that are suitable for everyday dental function. But this doesn’t include excessive pressures from habits like teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can weaken the stability of your dental implant or damage the exterior of the implant restoration. While you may not be able to stop your nighttime teeth grinding habit, it is important that you at least get fitted for a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth.

Schedule Your Evaluation

Did you meet the above criteria for dental implants? It’s time to know for sure whether or not you can take advantage of the most remarkable restorative dentistry solution available. Call Dr. Wayne Suway and we will conduct an official evaluation to determine your candidacy for dental implants. We will use an advanced Computed Tomography (CT) scan to look beyond your teeth and identify areas of bone loss and view the shape of your sinuses and nerves. We will also perform a thorough medical evaluation that includes information about your overall health and history.