Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?

Do you need to have one or more teeth replaced? Then yes, you are a candidate for dental implants. Anyone can be a candidate for dental implants. The question you really need to ask is, am I a candidate for dental implants right now? And if not, how do you become eligible? Here’s what you need to know. 

What Are Dental Implants? 

Dental implants are replacements for missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post that replaces the root, and a dental prosthetic that replaces the visible portion of the tooth. The implant is surgically placed in the jaw where it fuses with the bone to form a secure bond that holds a dental crown in place. Multiple dental implants can support bridges or dentures for more extensive restorations. 

What is Required To Be a Candidate for Dental Implants?

There are a few basic requirements to be considered a good candidate for dental implants: 

• Good oral health. Oral health refers to the overall health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and jaw. To be a candidate for dental implants, you must have good oral health. 
• Sufficient jaw bone structure. For a dental implant to be placed successfully, the jaw bone must have a sufficient width and depth for a dental implant to fit. It must also be strong enough to support a dental implant and withstand the force of chewing. 
• Being a non-smoker. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for oral health and the potential failure of a dental implant. To be eligible for dental implant placement, you must be a non-smoker. 

What Can I Do To Become Eligible For Dental Implants? 

If you do not meet the above criteria for dental implant eligibility, there are steps that can be taken to improve your situation and make dental implants possible for you. 

• Treatment for gum disease. If you have active gum disease, it will need to be treated before you can receive dental implants. Your dentist or a periodontist can provide treatment for gum disease that can restore your oral health. 
• Restorative dental procedures. Remaining teeth that have cavities or other damage need to be restored to health before the placement of dental implants. Tooth decay can easily spread to other teeth and lead to gum disease, which could endanger the success of your dental implants. 
• Bone grafting. If your jaw is not ready to support a dental implant due to bone loss, bone grafting is a procedure that places extra bone material in the location of the missing tooth. This thickens the existing bone and encourages regeneration of lost bone tissue. 
• Quit smoking. To be eligible for dental implants you will need to quit smoking entirely. There are many resources available to help with smoking cessation. Contacting your medical insurance provider or your primary care physician is a good place to start. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants 

Is a dental implant better than a bridge? 

When it comes to replacing a single tooth, a dental implant has many advantages over a bridge. A bridge consists of one or two crowns that fit over the existing teeth with one or more pontics (artificial teeth) suspended between them. The healthy teeth are permanently altered, and the bridge may eventually cause damage to the support teeth. A dental implant exists independently of your other teeth with its own support in the jaw. It looks and functions like a natural tooth. 

How many implants are required to support a full arch denture? 

When you need to have all of the teeth replaced in either the upper or lower jaw, anywhere from 4-6 dental implants can provide enough support for a full arch denture. You will experience better security and comfort with implant supported dentures than traditional dentures.

Find Out If You’re A Candidate for Dental Implants 

If you’re ready to find out if you might be a good candidate for dental implants, schedule a consultation with Davis Oral Surgery and Implant Center. After a brief evaluation, we can determine if you are ready for dental implants today, or if you may need some preparation. We believe that all patients deserve the highest quality tooth replacement option available, and we are dedicated to finding solutions to make dental implants possible for all. 

To learn more, call 530-297-7000 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.