Are You A Good Candidate For Implants: The Essential Guide

Are You A Good Candidate For Implants? Your Questions, Answered

Do you have a missing tooth? Chances are, the gap it left behind has affected the way you speak and eat, and it might even make you feel self-conscious about your smile. The only truly foolproof way to fix this problem is to replace the missing tooth!

If you’re looking for a more permanent and reliable tooth replacement solution compared to dentures or bridges, you can turn to dental implants! These are far more realistic and natural-feeling than dentures, and can even preserve your jawbone – preventing it from disappearing along with the missing tooth.

But before you begin, you need to know if you’re a good candidate for dental implants in the first place. Find out what makes a good candidate, and learn more about dental implants, in this guide.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants consist of a titanium root replacement that is secured into the bone of the jaw. The bone grows onto the titanium in a process called osseointegration, which causes the titanium root form to be embedded in bone. After osseointegration is complete, a dental prosthesis is placed onto the dental implant.

What Makes A Good Candidate

Most people are good candidates for dental implants! However, there are certain conditions that may affect the success of the procedure or could cause complications afterward.

Here’s what makes for a good dental implants candidate:

Sufficient Bone Support In Jaw

Because dental implants require the support of the jawbone, patients should have a fully-formed jawbone without any bone loss. That means they should be old enough that their jawbone is fully grown, and also that they haven’t experienced too much bone loss due to their missing teeth. With that said, some patients with bone loss can still be candidates through the use of bone grafts.

Acceptable Health

The way the patient’s body heals around the implant is critical to the procedure’s success. Arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and certain autoimmune diseases can make a patient’s outcomes less viable. Smoking and alcoholism can affect this too.

However, even with these conditions, many patients could still be candidates for dental implants. If you’re concerned we can discuss your medical history and consult you on your best option.