Are You A Suitable Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a great way to improve one's smile. If you have lost a tooth and would like to cover the unsightly gap, getting dental implants is a great idea. This technology works by inserting an artificial root (usually made of titanium), which is surgically placed and fuses with the jaw bone. Once the process of fusing is done, a crown (the top part of the ‘artificial tooth’) is then placed on the crown. Once done, the tooth should look natural and one can chew, as well as perform all other functions as they would with their natural teeth. Many people tend to wonder if they are suitable candidates of dental implants. Here is a guide on suitability for dental implants.

Jawbone Health

When a dentist is assessing your suitability for dental implants, one of the areas they look for is jawbone health. This is because the titanium implant is meant to fuse firmly with the jawbone so as to act as an anchor for the tooth. If you have a problem with your jawbone such as bone loss, the implant might not fuse properly with the jaw bone and there is a chance that the implant may fail. In these cases, the dentist might discuss other options like remedial actions to address the problem with your jawbone.

Smoking

If you are a frequent smoker, there is a possibility that dental implants might fail. Smoking affects the ability of the jawbone to fuse with the implant. Smoking also has an adverse effect on gums and overall dental health. All these factors add up to make it likely that your new implant might fail. For smokers, dentists often recommend that one undergoes a smoking cessation program for at least three months before they can have implant surgery.

Bruxism

This is where people develop a habit of grinding their teeth together. This is often involuntary and victims will do this even in their sleep. People who suffer from bruxism tend to have a difficult time getting implants as the grinding affects the ability of the implant to anchor firmly on to the tooth. There are many approaches when dealing with bruxism and your dentist would likely put you on one of those programs before undergoing the implant surgery.

General Health

This refers to your overall health and how this might affect the surgery. Conditions such as diabetes or anemia can have an effect on your surgery, and it is important to inform your dentist about such conditions as early as possible. Any medications that you are currently taking may also have an effect on the results of the surgery and so it is important to inform your dentist about them as well. A good example is blood thinners that are used by patients who are recovering from heart attacks and strokes. If you are on these kinds of medication, please inform your dentist so he or she can decide whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.

If you are looking for an experienced dentist to assess your suitability for dental implants, visit Guerrino Dentistry for top-notch dental services. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment.