Do you feel insecure about your smile because of missing teeth? Whether it’s just a single missing pearly white or multiple, you may start looking for ways to fill in those empty spaces. Of all the available tooth replacement options today, thanks to modern dentistry, dental implants are one of the most popular because they are long-lasting and replace the entire tooth, helping to prevent bone loss!
While nearly anyone with missing teeth can benefit from dental implants, not everyone can get them right away. To ensure they last you a lifetime, your dentist will look out for a few things. Read on to learn four things they look out for in candidates for dental implants.
1.) Great Dental Hygiene
Having a healthy smile is one thing that your dentist watches for. Keeping your mouth free of harmful bacteria can help ensure a successful dental implant surgery. When plaque has the chance to build up, it can affect the implant post.
The gums around the treatment are still susceptible to infections. If bacteria infect the soft tissue, then the gumline can pull away from the implant and create a pocket where even more bacteria can accumulate, potentially attacking the jaw! Showing your dentist that you are committed to your oral health can set you up for a restoration that lasts years.
2.) Ample Jawbone Density
When you lose teeth, the jawbone loses the natural stimulation it gets from chewing and biting. Your body thinks that you aren’t using it as much anymore, so it starts to redirect minerals to other areas. Over time, it can result in bone loss, making it too risky to place a dental implant in that spot. This treatment requires a strong foundation to be as durable as they are.
Even if you have low jawbone density, you don’t have to give up on this restorative procedure! A bone graft can help rebuild your jaw and make dental implants possible! However, all-on-4 dental implants may be an option if you are missing all your teeth in a dental arch and have been for a long time. These are placed into naturally strong and thick areas of your jawbone, so oftentimes, you don’t need bone grafting.
3.) Good General Health
Your dentist wants to ensure that you have your chronic health conditions in check before providing this service. For example, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, it can slow down the healing process. Additionally, it increases your risk of gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth and bone loss.
It’s still possible to get this procedure with conditions like these, but making sure that they are well-maintained will help the dental implant treatment go smoothly.
4.) Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Smoking and drinking can cause complications when receiving dental implants. Both can contribute to bone loss, making it more difficult to place them and fuse correctly. As well, tobacco slows down healing and puts you at risk for gum disease. These can lead to slowed healing and an unstable implant.
Do you want to fill the gaps in your pearly whites? Then, you may want to consider dental implants! Even if you are not a candidate for this restorative treatment at this time, your dentist can help create a plan that brings you closer to achieving that goal. They want to ensure that your new teeth last a lifetime and leave you with a smile you love.
About the Practice
At D&G Dental of West Orange, we are committed to providing gentle and effective care. With four dentists on our team, we can offer a wide range of services in one convenient location, including dental implants! We are proud to offer a complimentary consultation, allowing you to discover how to make them last a lifetime! We even place them in-house, so you stay in trusted hands the entire time.
To find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants or have any questions, schedule an appointment or call us at (973) 731-2200.