Are You A Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
The simple truth is that many Americans struggle with the loss of a tooth (or several of them). Though it may not seem like a problem, even missing one tooth can make a difference. Those that are missing at least one tooth, may struggle with good oral hygiene. Bacteria and plaque will build up in the area where teeth are missing. As your jaw bone loses some strength, your whole jaw and teeth may shift. This can cause your teeth to come together, with even more spaces where bacteria and plaque can build up. If you are missing multiple teeth, your entire face can change shape because your jawbones will continue to get weaker.
So, what can you do?
The very best option for missing teeth is dental implants. These are placed in your jawbone, so it won't lose strength. As you have implants in, they are encapsulated by your jawbone, making them as strong as your regular teeth. You will be able to eat everything that you had to give up when you lost your teeth!
Are you a good candidate for dental implants?
However, before you decide to get implants, it is important to make sure that you are a good candidate. To be a good candidate (where your implants will heal successfully), you need to have the following:
Healthy gums. If your mouth isn't as healthy as it should be, you need to take care of that first. You may need a good cleaning and polishing at your dentist's office before undergoing a dental implant procedure. You may also need antibiotics to clear out any infection.
A jawbone that isn't growing. Young children aren't a good candidate because we will place the implants directly into your jawbone. If your jawbone is still growing and moving, your artificial teeth will move along with it, messing up your entire mouth. For this reason, we recommend waiting until a person is over twenty-five.
A jawbone that is strong enough to support your implants. If your jawbone is weak, it is less likely to support your implants. Also, the procedure could weaken your jawbone even more. That being said, we may recommend implants to help your bone grow even stronger. While we are doing the procedure, we may also complete a grafting procedure where we use other bone to make your jawbone stronger.
Do you have any risks for a poor outcome?
Some people have more risks when it comes to getting dental implants. Their risk factors may include:
Uncontrolled diabetes
Cancer, especially if you had radiation in your jaw
Those who struggle with alcoholism and drug use
Smokers
Those with uncontrolled gum disease
Taking certain medications that suppress your immune system
Those who grind their teeth.
What can you do if you are at risk for a poor outcome?
Just because you might not be an ideal candidate, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't consider getting dental implants. After all, they are the best way to replace any missing teeth that you may have. However, it is important to talk to us before your procedure. We will want to do a full workup to ensure that your dental implants will work for you.
How do you get started?
If you are considering dental implants, you must have a thorough evaluation of your mouth. We will want to look at your jaw, teeth, mouth, and your overall health. We usually complete an X-ray series of your mouth. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is also helpful to make sure that your jaw is good. We will be able to see any areas of bone loss. During this time, we will also look at your overall health. We are going to want to know about any conditions that you may have and any medications that you take regularly. All of this will help us make the right decision for you.
If you are considering dental implants, whether you think you are a good candidate or not, don't hesitate to give us a call at (704) 386-6795. You can also schedule an appointment right on our website. We would be glad to see how we can help you achieve your dream of a healthy smile!