Am I a Good Candidate for Implant Dentistry?

If you have lost one or more teeth, you should talk to your dentist to find a dental solution that will replace these teeth. Dental implants can offer optimal preservation and enhancement of your smile.

Though these fixtures can be highly beneficial, not every patient can receive them. A dentist can help find the best treatment plan for your unique dental needs during a consultation. Read on to learn about three qualities that could make you an ideal candidate for tooth replacement treatment with dental implants.

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3 Characteristics of Ideal Dental Implant Patients

Looking for Permanent Tooth Replacements

Whether you have lost a single tooth, several teeth in a row, or an entire arch of teeth, your dentist can find a tooth replacement solution that works for your dental needs. They will also consider your preference for a fixed or a removable appliance to restore your smile.

Dental implants feature titanium post anchors that a dentist surgically places into the jaw for long-lasting support for prosthetic teeth. They will remain in place for twenty or more years and cannot be removed without the help of a dentist.

This gives confidence to many patients who will not have to worry about replacing a worn device. They also do not have to think about their device slipping out of place when in use. But some patients may prefer the freedom of taking out their oral appliances at their leisure.

Removable dentures can be taken out of the mouth when not needed to perform oral functions. Your dentist can discuss which devices can best suit your smile during a consultation.

Stable Jawbone Health

Dental implants can improve jawbone health after tooth loss. The anchors serve as replacements for missing tooth roots below the gumline, providing stimulation to keep the jaw from deteriorating.

In order to receive a dental implant, your jawbone must possess enough stability to support the anchor and the fusion with the bone that it needs to support the implant. If too much bone has degenerated due to tooth loss, the jaw might not have the strength to sustain an implant.

Your dentist can check the structure and health of your jawbone with x-ray imaging. They may suggest a bone graft surgery to build more stability in the jaw that could support an implant once healed.

Patience and Commitment to the Implant Process

You may need to attend three or more dentist appointments over several months to complete the implant process. Though you will not see instant results with this treatment, patients should exhibit patience and trust in the process to get optimal restorative benefits at the end of the treatment.

Patients will begin with a consultation to confirm that they are eligible for dental implants. Then they will undergo oral surgery to receive the anchors in their jaw. These will take a few months to heal and fuse to the jawbone. After the patient recovers, they return to their dentist to receive their permanent prosthetic teeth.