Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Menasha, WI
Do you have a tooth or two missing? Dental implants may be ideal for you. If a missing tooth is left untreated, it can substantially affect your ability to chew and speak. 
Dental implants are screw-like titanium posts that are placed into the missing tooth socket in order to serve as a base for artificial teeth. The two most common types of dental implants are endosteal and subperiosteal implants.
The dentist takes into account several aspects when analyzing the risks and benefits of dental implants to treat your missing teeth. Here are factors that make you a suitable candidate for dental implants:
You Have Missing Teeth
There are many reasons why you can end up with missing teeth. Periodontal disease and facial trauma are two of the most common causes of tooth loss.
Dental implants offer a versatile solution for an empty tooth socket. They can replace a single tooth, multiple missing teeth, or even a whole row of missing teeth.
You Are An Adult
Belonging to a higher age bracket does not restrict you from getting dental implants. Even if you are a senior citizen, you can enjoy the benefits of dental implants. As long as you are an adult who meets other requirements, such as having a healthy jawbone, a higher age is not a risk factor when it comes to implants.
Nevertheless, implants are not recommended for children or teenagers who lose a permanent tooth. This is because their jawbone is still in the developing stage. Getting an implant installed in a growing jaw can cause complications.
You Enjoy Good Health
Getting dental implants involves a surgical procedure. In order to be eligible for it, you are required to be in good health.
Particular ailments, such as diabetes and heart disease, can negatively influence your candidacy. However, having a health condition does not mean that you cannot get dental implants at all.
First, you will have to ensure that your health condition is well-controlled. Getting implants installed when your disease is not well-managed can lead to complications during surgery as well as recovery. This can also affect the success of the treatment in the long run.
Moreover, oral health also needs to be in good condition before you get a dental implant surgery. If you have any oral issues such as cavities or periodontal disease, they need to be treated before you can have implants placed.
You Do Not Smoke Or Drink
During the first consultation with your dentist regarding a missing tooth, you are likely to be asked about your lifestyle, especially alcohol and tobacco habits.
These items weaken your immune system, which makes you vulnerable to infections. However, alcohol and tobacco consumption does not imply that you cannot get implants. Your dentist is likely to ask you to quit these habits before your implant surgery.
Before giving you a go-ahead for surgery, your dentist will check your jawbone health so that the implant can bond with it successfully after placement. In case it is not robust enough, bone grafting would be required to strengthen it. If you are suffering from a missing tooth and feel that implants are the right solution for you, schedule an appointment with us at Mid Valley Dental by calling us at (920) 215-4160 today.
|
