If you are missing at least one tooth, know that you are not alone. There are about 100 million Americans that are missing at least one tooth, maybe even more. Dental implants might be on your radar if you are looking for ways to replace a permanent tooth that you’ve lost. It is crucial to know if you are considered a good candidate before trying to start the treatment process. Smile Family Dentistry will be able to work with you to determine if you are a good fit.
If you are missing one or more teeth, chances are extremely high that you will be considered a good candidate for dental implants. There are a few factors that our dentist will take into consideration when determining your eligibility such as the condition of your gums, jaw, and your bone density.
Having healthy gums is important and will ensure that you are a good candidate for this procedure. You will also need to have enough bone density to be able to support the implants. If you don’t have healthy gums or you have low bone density, that doesn’t completely count you out. You will just need to undergo an extra procedure or two before you are able to get your implants placed. Gum tissue and bone can both be grafted from the back part of your jaw to cover the areas that are lacking.
It is also important that you are old enough that your jaw has stopped growing. If you get an implant placed in your mouth before your jaw is finished growing, it can shift and cause a misalignment in the future. This procedure is best for adults.
The process of getting dental implants always starts with an examination of your jaw, teeth, mouth, and overall condition of your health. You will likely have x-rays taken and maybe a CT scan depending on the condition of your mouth. The dentist will be able to identify any areas that are showing signs of bone loss, as well as where your sinuses and nerves are located. You will be able to receive a more accurate treatment plan this way.
The dentist will also want to perform a medical evaluation before you have this procedure completed. This will be used to take a look at your overall health and history. This information is essential for determining how well the implants will fuse to your bone and how well they will heal.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, or gum disease, you might not have the best time with dental implants. It is also possible to get poor results if you smoke or drink frequently. If you are on any type of medication that suppresses your immune system, you might also get poor results from this procedure. If you grind your teeth, you will also have poor results as the grinding will put too much pressure on the implants and will cause damage in the long run.
Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate for most patients. If you think you might be a good candidate, call Smile Family Dentistry at 925-825-1130 to get started with your treatment plan.