Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the most durable teeth replacements you can have. According to the American Dental Association, dental implant surgery is an intricate procedure that aims to replace your missing natural teeth. To make sure you qualify for this teeth replacement method, your orthodontist will examine you thoroughly. If you want to be certain if you are a viable candidate for dental implants, here’s what you need to know.
Good Bone Density
You should have sufficient bone density before you get your dental implant. A strong jawbone can support dental implants. Your orthodontist will assess your bone density to be certain that your procedure will be successful. If your jawbone does not have enough bone density, you should have a bone grafting procedure. Bone loss can result from trauma or periodontal disease. A bone graft can replace the lost bone in your jaw. It will trigger bone regeneration that can restore the normal contours of your face and support your implant. The graft is taken from your body or jaw and then transferred into the affected part of your jawbone. Once the bone graft heals, your jawbone becomes a more stable base for your dental implants.
Healthy Gums and Teeth
Although you have missing teeth, you should generally have good oral health to be a good candidate for dental implants. If you have cavities or periodontal disease, your orthodontist should treat them first before you can get your implants. During your surgery, your surgeon will cut into your gums to place your titanium implant. Any infection in your gums will reduce the success of your procedure. It will also make healing time longer than you expect.
Active Lifestyle
You can opt for dental implants if you are always on-the-go. As a busy person, you cannot spare a lot of time to tend to or worry about removable dental appliances like dentures. With dental implants, you can just wear them and do your activities without being aware of them. If you need to eat out, you don’t have to worry about them or feel awkward at all.
Decent General Health
A good candidate for dental implants should not have any serious illness. Your dental surgeon will require a medical certificate from your physician to make sure you are in good health. You should disclose your medications and supplements to your surgeon. Smoking and alcohol drinking impedes the formation of new veins and arteries in surgical areas. In the case of dental implants, these habits will delay the healing of your jawbone and gum tissues. This will then lead to the failure of your dental implants. If you are an avid smoker or drinker, you should stop these habits months before and after your dental implant procedure.
Dental implants are designed to last for a lifetime. If you are a good candidate, you should work with your orthodontist to make sure your procedure is successful. At Arlington Dentistry, we take the necessary steps to ensure the favorable outcome of your dental implant procedure. Please visit our clinic in Arlington, Virginia, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 703-841-0300 if you want to schedule an appointment. We can answer your questions about our dental implant surgery packages.
