When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are often highly recommended because they offer many advantages that make them the next best thing to real teeth. But how can you be sure that they’re the best choice in your case? There are a number of criteria that you’ll need to meet to be considered a good candidate for dental implants; here’s a quick look at 5 of these key traits.
1. Healthy Gums
Gum disease is a significant threat to the success of dental implants. If the infection isn’t dealt with promptly, it can damage the tissues holding the implant posts in place. As such, it’s important to confirm that your gums are in good health prior to dental implant surgery. If you are currently suffering from gum disease, steps will need to be taken to treat it before you can be considered a candidate for dental implants.
2. A Strong Jawbone
Since dental implants are surgically inserted into your jaw, there needs to be a sufficient amount of bone present to support them. Without that, the implant posts will fail. Your periodontist will need to check the bone density levels in your jaw to make sure that there’s enough for the dental implant procedure. If you don’t currently have enough jawbone density (which is likely if it has been a while since your teeth were lost), it may be possible to correct the issue with bone grafting.
3. A Healthy Body
Certain systemic diseases could potentially prevent you from getting dental implants. For example, uncontrolled diabetes might affect your body’s ability to heal properly after dental implant surgery. Your periodontist will need to perform a review of your health history in order to determine whether there are any issues that could impact the dental implant process.
4. Strong Commitment to Oral Hygiene
You need to be able to take proper care of your dental implants if you want them to last as long as possible. This means brushing and flossing on a regular basis. Therefore, the ideal dental implant candidate is someone who is already committed to maintaining excellent oral hygiene and will be able to maintain that commitment once their dental implants are in place.
5. An Understanding of the Process
It can take several months for dental implants to finish fusing with the jawbone. On top of that, while steps can be taken the reduce the chances of dental implants failing, said chances can never be lowered to zero. Before you can get dental implants, it’s imperative that you’re able to understand how long you can expect the dental implant process can take as well as the risks involved.
Are you a good candidate for dental implants? Your periodontist can help you figure out the answer to that question; if you’re missing any number of teeth, don’t hesitate to schedule your initial dental implant consultation today.
About the Author
Dr. David Handsman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and he is associated with the Massachusetts Periodontal Society as well as the American Academy of Periodontology. As a periodontist, he has helped many patients enjoy complete smiles again with dental implants. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Handsman at Handsman & Haddad Periodontics in Worcester, visit his website or call (508) 753-5444.
