If you are missing one or more permanent teeth, dental implants may be an option for replacing them. Placing the implants requires an operation, and not everyone is a candidate for the surgery. Your dentist can discuss the criteria you must meet to be eligible. If you do not meet the criteria now, it may be possible to make some changes so that you qualify. However, in other cases, the disqualifying circumstances may be beyond your control.
Failure of dental implants can be catastrophic. You are a good candidate for surgery if your circumstances minimize the risk of implant failure. Here are some of the criteria you need to meet.
If you have gum disease or infections in your mouth, it could complicate the surgery or lead to the failure of your oral implants. Therefore, you need to have good oral health before you can be considered a candidate for the operation. If you have an active infection, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to address it. Once the infection is cleared up, you may be a candidate for the implant procedure. Your dentist may suggest other treatments to optimize your oral health prior to surgery, such as a routine cleaning.
It is not enough to have good oral health at the time of the procedure. You also have to be willing and able to maintain it through a commitment to good oral hygiene. Fortunately, dental implants do not require any special care beyond typical oral hygiene for natural teeth. If you require a major reconstruction, your dentist may require checkups at more frequent intervals than the typical six months. It is vital that you have checkups as scheduled by your dentist and maintain a home care routine of flossing and brushing once and twice daily, respectively.
Underlying medical conditions could complicate the procedure or interfere with healing. If you have a condition that could complicate your surgery, implants may be contraindicated, or it may be necessary to postpone the procedure. However, if the condition is under control, it may be possible to proceed.
Any surgical procedure comes with risks. Before you commit to the procedure, the risks and benefits will be explained to you, and it is up to you whether the benefits outweigh the risks. You also need to understand that, even with an uncomplicated procedure, it takes months before the implant has fused sufficiently with the bone to support a tooth prosthesis.
For a dental implant to be successful, the jawbone has to be strong and dense enough to support it. However, following the loss of a tooth, the jawbone loses density due to calcium resorption. If the jawbone density is not sufficient, a bone graft procedure may strengthen it so it can support an implant. This increases the overall treatment time.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants in Scottsdale, AZ
Your risk for failure of your dental implants determines whether you are a good candidate. It may be possible to improve the risks.
Request an appointment or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at 480-439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.
The teeth are an essential part of the human body, which is why so many people turn to dental implants. Without enough teeth, it is harder for people to bite into and chew their food and harder to enunciate certain words when speaking. When many teeth are missing, the shape of the face will change,…
There are many benefits to dental implants, and once healed, implants look and feel much like natural teeth. Despite these benefits, they may not be the right choice for everyone. It is important to speak with a dentist and consider the current condition of your health before going forward with the procedure.Before you can get…
One of the requirements for a patient to be able to get a dental implants procedure is that the patient must have sufficient jaw bone to anchor the implant. Some patients who do not have adequate bone mass may be able to get implants by first having a bone graft procedure.A dental bone graft procedure…
There are various options for straightening teeth. Invisalign® for teens is a popular option for this age group, as it is less obvious than traditional metal braces. Invisalign consists of clear trays that fit over the top and bottom rows of teeth. This straightening method has many benefits. However, not everyone is a good candidate.…
Invisalign® clear aligner trays are not just for adults; teenagers and some children can also benefit from this treatment system. Many teens prefer Invisalign® over traditional braces because of the numerous advantages it offers, including:Discreet treatment appliancesMore comfort throughout the entire processRemovable trays for improved oral hygieneWhile wearing these trays is easy and relatively effortless,…