Dental implants, as a more permanent tooth replacement option, may not be right for everyone. Do your research and consult with your dentist to learn more about the reasons you may consider dental implants. Our dentists will assess your smile to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.
Here are the traits we like to see in dental implant patients:
- Missing one or more teeth. A whole row of teeth can also be replaced.
- Good overall health.
- Excellent oral hygiene habits.
- Healthy gums and jawbone density.
- Willingness and ability to follow instructions carefully before, during, and after your procedure.
Medical Conditions That Can Interfere With Dental Implants
- Cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Uncontrolled gum disease
- Tooth grinding
- Blood or bone disease
- Severe cardiovascular issues
Less Than Perfect Candidates
It is important to note that a patient must be examined by a doctor before it can be decided if they are a good candidate for dental implant treatment. Patients that might have less success with dental implants are diabetics, pregnant women, smokers, patients who do not have a fully developed jawbone, patients with underlying health conditions, and patients with substance abuse problems. Providers look at each individual patient and their total circumstances before deciding if they will successfully heal from dental implant placement.
Other Issues
Some patients may not be good candidates for dental implants because of their current (or temporary) state of health. One example of this is women who are pregnant. These patients are generally not preferred because surgical procedures and anesthesia are discouraged when a woman is pregnant. Another example is patients with a health condition like gum disease or diabetes. Once these patients get their current condition well under control, they can be examined and re-evaluated for dental implant placement.
Why A Consultation Is So Important
Your initial evaluation will include an examination of your mouth and teeth and a thorough review of your health history.
Your mouth will be X-rayed or scanned. This will provide information about the bone in your teeth and jaw, and where important things are like your nerves and sinuses.
Finally, we will discuss the options available to you. It is extremely important that you let us know all about your medical status (past and present), medications you are taking, and any other health concerns.
The Next Steps
If our dentist determines that you are not the best candidate for this procedure after he has examined you, he will recommend other advanced options that can serve as good alternatives to dental implants.
For patients who are good candidates, our dentist will create a customized treatment plan to ensure the results of their dental implant procedure look and feel attractive, functional, and natural-looking.