Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Having a missing tooth or teeth can make it difficult to smile without feeling self-conscious. Apart from affecting your smile, missing teeth can cause other problems, such as the inability to chew due to bone structure issues. Fortunately, there are dental procedures that can help solve your problem. 

One of the most popular ways to replace missing teeth is using dental implants. Dentists often recommend this treatment, but implants are not ideal for everyone. You can find out if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Good Oral Health

To be a good candidate for dental implants, you should have great oral health and hygiene. To get implants, you should not have tooth or gum infections. Oral health problems can negatively affect the surgical procedure. 

Good oral hygiene is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. After the procedure, you should take great care of your implants and the surrounding gum. Brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist are essential. 
 

You Have Healthy Gums

To be a good candidate for dental implants, you should have healthy gums. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine whether you can get implants. You are not a good candidate if you have gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis. 
You need to get treatment for any gum disease before considering getting implants. The dentist will consider what caused the missing teeth when examining your mouth. 

Adequate Bone Density

An adequate amount of jawbone density is required to get dental implants. The bone is needed to support and protect the implant. A strong jaw will help ensure proper anchorage of the implant. 
If you have bone loss, you will require additional procedures before you can get dental implants. Bone grafting can help rebuild your jawbone, providing enough foundation and strength for the implants. 

You Avoid Tobacco Use

A good candidate for dental implants must not smoke or use tobacco products. Smoking or using tobacco products reduces the chances of a successful dental implant procedure. 

The habits also affect the healing process and increase the chances of getting an infection. To be a good candidate for dental implants, you need to quit the tobacco habit both before and after the procedure. 

You Need to Be Patient

The dental implant process can take four to 12 months, from implant installation to healing. This means that to be a good candidate, you should have patience. You need to be committed to the entire process to get the desired results. 
If you require bone grafts, you will need to allow time for the grafts to take. Treatment duration will depend on the number of missing teeth and the condition of your oral health.  
To determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants, the dentist will examine your teeth and gums. It is vital to discover the cause of the missing teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. 
To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, visit btyDENTAL at any of our offices in Anchorage, Alaska. You can call (907) 333-6666 today to schedule an appointment.