Am I a candidate for dental implants

Am I a Candidate For Dental Implants?

What are dental implants

Most people are candidates for dental implants regardless of their age. As long as they are in good health there is a very good chance that they are a candidate for dental implants.

There are certain people that are medically compromised (any surgery may put their life at risk) and therefore cannot have any elective surgery.


Severe loss of bone may make a person not a candidate for dental implants. This is usually due to not treating extensive tooth loss for a very long time. Although there are many grafting procedures to correct bone loss there are situations where it is impossible or too surgically risky to graft an area.

People that are smokers can have dental implants but have to accept the fact that treatment will not be as successful as a non smoker’s.

 


Dental Implant anatomy - what is an impant

Dental Implant Candidate


Dental Implants are a highly successful treatment option for the right candidate. For properly selected candidates, the success rate of dental implants is about 95%, according to several studies. But there are several factors that could influence your candidacy.


  • Inadequate bone in the area
  • Presence of gum disease
  • Bite complications
  • The patient’s overall health
  • If a patient is a smoker, how much they smoke, and for how long
  • Medications taken by the patient for extended periods of time
  • Medications that cause bleeding such as blood thinners

Most of these conditions will not prevent you from getting a dental implant, but they may delay your dental implant procedure. Candidates with inadequate bone require bone grafts, for example, before receiving dental implants. Gum disease must be treated before an implant procedure. Your bite may need to be evaluated and treated as part of the implant procedure. Some patients with more significant bone loss may require grafting procedures that need to be accomplished prior to the placement of implants. Once you lose a tooth, your jawbone will begin to degrade as your body removes bone tissue it sees as no longer necessary. Your other teeth will begin to shift and drift into the gap. Your bite will begin to change. The sooner you get a dental implant, the sooner these conditions can be stopped and your overall oral health will improve. In any case, it is important to remember that almost any patient can receive dental implants as long as they are committed to treatment.

single tooth dental implant

Dental Implant Consultation


We understand that each patient has specific needs. Our 1888 Implant Dentists fully evaluate each individual patient to determine the best treatment plan. Our goal is to offer you the best options to replace your missing teeth, assess each patient's specific dental conditions, and approach a treatment that will be conservative and provide the best long-term functional and aesthetic results.


Contact our staff today to setup a consultation, if you are missing a tooth or teeth, there is no time like the present to get treatment. Remember that Dental Implants do more than replace your teeth, they improve the quality of your life.

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