Who Makes A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

Dental implants have become the most popular procedure for tooth replacement because they provide a permanent solution for restoring a healthy, attractive, and functional smile. However, every patient is different and only a qualified doctor can determine if your health and oral condition are adequate for dental implants. Here are some considerations when trying to determine if dental implants are right for you.

Who Makes A Good Dental Implant Candidate?

Ideal candidates for dental implants should be missing one or more teeth and should also fit the criteria below:

1. Be willing to commit 3 to 6 months to the procedure. Anything less than a full commitment could jeopardize the success of your dental implant placement.
2. Have sufficient bone and gum tissues. The dental implant procedure involves anchoring artificial titanium roots directly into the jawbone, a patient must have good jawbone density and healthy gums so that the abutment and artificial tooth are supported properly.
3. Be healthy overall. Underlying health issues can impact whether or not a patient is eligible for the procedure. It is important that a patient is healthy during and after the dental implant procedure so that sufficient healing can occur.
4. Practice good oral hygiene. Tooth replacement procedures will do a patient no good if the patient does not have good oral hygiene habits. Moreover, oral tissue will not heal adequately if a patient does not have a clean and healthy mouth.
5. Be willing to follow Dr. Schwartz’s directions after your procedure. This is particularly critical since it will be important to the health of your implants. Failure to follow instructions, like avoiding chewing on the implant site, could cause unnecessary pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, or even implant failure.

Factors That May Require Further Evaluation

• Pregnancy (anesthesia and invasive surgical procedures are used)
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Severe tooth grinding
• Problems with immune system or healing
• Children who do not have fully developed jawbones
• Uncontrolled gum disease
• Smokers
• Patients who use drugs or alcohol to excess

Will I Need Supplemental Procedures?

As mentioned above, dental implant success depends on healthy gums and sufficient jawbone thickness. However, should either of these things be lacking, additional procedures may be necessary to adequately prepare the patient for the dental implant procedure. Most providers evaluate patients on a case-by-case basis to determine if additional procedures are necessary. For more information, please see our Dental Implants InfoSite page on Supplemental Procedures.

Get Evaluated For Dental Implants At Thornhill Periodontics Today!

If you want to replace your missing and damaged teeth, dental implants could be a great option for you. And now that you know all about what makes a good candidate for dental implants, why not take a look at the placement process? Alternatively, you can check out the rest of our helpful Dental Implants InfoSite or call a staff member for more information. We are ready and waiting to schedule your dental implant consultation today!