Dental implants can be an investment of your time and money, so it makes perfect sense that you would want to know whether you’re a good candidate for treatment before you commit. Implant dentists like to see four main traits in patients considering this advanced tooth replacement – though as you’ll see, you may not be out of luck if you don’t fit the mold. Keep reading to learn more!
#1. Good Oral Health
Conditions like cavities and gum disease can cause serious complications during dental implant treatment. Cavities can do significant damage to your natural teeth, and if you need a filling or two, it’ll ultimately prolong your smile restoration. Gum disease, meanwhile, attacks the tissue and ligaments that support pearly whites and dental implants alike. When gum disease advances to periodontitis, you could very well lose your natural teeth and new implants.
Fortunately, poor oral health doesn’t permanently disqualify you from dental implant treatment. It simply means you and your dentist will have to take care of the health of your smile first.
#2. Sufficient Jawbone Mass
Similarly, if you’ve experienced substantial jawbone loss, it will be difficult for the biocompatible dental implant posts to properly fuse with the bone. This could result in your implant coming loose, and in severe cases, can cause jawbone or nerve damage.
Your dentist may be able to add mass to your jawbone with a bone graft, though, so you could still receive successful dental implants after this preliminary treatment.
#3. Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Actually, all tobacco products are a bad news for dental implants. The chemicals in tobacco increase your risk of gum disease and infection, and slow down the body’s natural healing processes. The link between tobacco products and dental implant failure is so strong that it’s best you quit altogether if possible.
Alcohol can be dangerous in large quantities, and especially during dental implant recovery. It’s known to prevent healthy blood clots from forming and can contribute to jawbone loss over time.
#4. Strong Oral Hygiene Habits
The best way to take care of natural teeth is to brush them twice daily and floss at least once per day. Dental implant teeth are no different! You’ll have to maintain strong oral hygiene habits to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other complications from occurring after implant treatment. Plus, this will help your dental implants last longer.
You don’t necessarily have to have all four of these traits at the time of your dental implant consultation. Your dentist is here to help, whether that means providing preliminary treatments that will increase your odds of success or personalized tips for taking better care of your smile. The best way to know for sure if you’re a good candidate for dental implants is to talk to your dentist!
Abou the Practice
All three of our experienced dentists at Windermere Dentistry are well-qualified to provide dental implant treatment near you. We want you to feel confident in your smile and your treatment plan, so rest assured, if we can help your dental implants succeed with preliminary treatments or personalized advice, we’ll be happy to provide these services! To contact our office and see if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, call 407-909-1099.