You have a missing tooth or missing teeth. This fact should automatically qualify you to be a dental implants candidate, right? Not necessarily. Every dental restoration begins with a thorough dental exam to ensure that your mouth can handle such a repair. Dental implants are the right solution for many people – and there is always a solution to replace missing teeth even if implants aren’t right for you – but you must start from square one.
1. You Have Quality Bone Density
If you have gone for some time without replacing your missing teeth, the area of the jawbone where your tooth roots once resided has also gone unstimulated. This means the bone density is in danger of deteriorating. Without the proper amount of strong bone, there isn’t enough room to place the dental implant. Plus, the implant needs to be reinforced by strong bone so it doesn’t become loose from chewing.
If your bone density is poor, you’re not out of luck. Bone graft procedures can be done to boost the bone density and make dental implants possible. This procedure involves taking your own bone from another area of the body and grafting it to your jawbone to build up enough volume to support an implant.
2. Your Gum Tissue is Healthy
Healthy gum tissue is absolutely essential to be a good dental implants candidate. If you brush and floss daily and see your dentist every six months for a check-up and teeth cleaning, your mouth is likely in very good shape for any sort of dental restoration.
One of the main reasons people have missing teeth is because tooth loss is a side effect of gum disease. Before any implants can even be considered for your smile makeover, your gums must be free from infection. Gum disease can be treated through laser therapy, antibiotics, or scaling procedures. It will take time for the gum disease to be removed from your mouth and for your gums to heal. Only then can your dentist do a thorough evaluation to determine your readiness for implants.
3. You Are a Non-Smoker
Smoking is a big problem for anyone who wants to get dental work. The side effects of smoking can interfere with a complete healing process for any restorative dentistry, especially dental implants, and infections can develop.
If you smoked before but have stopped, you can still be a good dental implants candidate. How long you smoked and how much, as well as the condition of your oral health because of the smoking, will impact whether implants can be a reality.
4. You’re Patient
Dental implants take time. First, your dentist must determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. If you need bone grafts done, that procedure and subsequent healing will have to happen next. Then the implants can be put in place, but the final crown will not be permanently bonded to the top of the implant for months – until the implant has fused properly with the jawbone, making it a permanent part of your smile. From start to finish, sometimes dental implants can take up to year to complete.
If you’re willing to put in the time and wait for the good results that come from dental implants, this procedure can be your ticket to a brand new, healthy smile. Find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Schedule a consultation with the team at Smiles by the Sea in Hampton, NH.