4 Reasons You May Be a Candidate for Dental Implants
Replacing teeth is a difficult but necessary decision. While a number of options are available, dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth. Dental implants are crafted to function in longevity, feel comfortable, and blend in with your existing smile.
The ideal dental implant candidates are in good general and oral health. Dental implants candidates should have patience with the process and realistic expectations in addition to overall wellness. Dental implants can take time to heal and become functional. At our Brookline and Boston, MA, locations, transformative cosmetic treatments can be added after successful dental implant surgery for a bright smile that lights up the room.
Overall Wellness
Like any surgery, placing a dental implant is a complicated process that requires patients to be in good health for the best results.
Dental implants can take up to a year to fully heal. Factors and diseases that can impede wound healing are:
- Age
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Chronic conditions (heart, lung, and kidney diseases)
Smoking tobacco products inhibits the body’s ability to heal. We strongly suggest stopping smoking six months before surgery to increase the irreversible success of the implant.
Additionally, anesthesia decreases consciousness during invasive procedures like dental implant surgery, but can potentially put you at risk in other ways. Good general health minimizes potential dangers associated with anesthesia. Older adults, though, are more at risk for developing adverse outcomes associated with anesthesia. Anesthesia complications are rare but include postoperative confusion, pneumonia, stroke, and heart attack.
Gum Health
Gum disease must be resolved before dental implant surgery. Placing implants in the jawbone below the infected gum tissue raises the risk of bone infection. If the jawbone itself has been infected as well, it can further increase the chance of implant failure and can complicate general health.
Dental Health
Patients with established oral hygiene routines are excellent candidates for dental implant surgery. Good dental health practices include:
- Biannual dental check-ups and cleanings with Dr. Whiteman
- Brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft toothbrush
- Removing food particles between teeth with floss
Maintaining exceptional oral hygiene increases the lifespan of dental implants.
Bone Density
Successful dental implants osseointegrate or fuse with the jawbone over time. After osseointegration, the implant can serve as a replacement for your natural tooth root and keep the porcelain restoration in place. This security allows the implant, abutment, and restoration to perform and resemble the natural tooth.
The jawbone must be sturdy and compact enough to contain the dental implant permanently. Trauma, periodontal disease, and tooth loss can contribute to bone atrophy. If you do not have adequate bone density to support an implant, you must receive a bone graft to build up the jawbone before dental implant surgery.
At our Brookline, MA, location, Dr. Whiteman rebuilds missing or weak jawbones through bone grafting surgery. Personal preference and comfort dictate the material used for bone grafting. Dr. Whiteman augments jawbone in these prerequisite jaw surgeries:
- Bone augmentation: Added bone tissue increases the mass of the jawbone.
- Sinus lift: When upper back teeth are lost, a sinus lift can add bone tissue below the sinus area.
Schedule an Appointment
If you want to know if you qualify for dental implant surgery, book a consultation with our talented and knowledgeable dental health professionals by calling (617) 731-4746 or message us online at your earliest convenience.
