7 Indicators That You Are A Good Candidate For Dental Implants
If you are looking for a good tooth replacement option, you probably know about dental implants. Dental implants can replace both the root and the crown of a tooth. And with proper care, dental implants can last many years, even a lifetime in some cases. But not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants.
If you want to undergo dental implant surgery but aren't sure if they are right for you, then study the following list. These conditions might make you a good candidate for dental implant surgery.
1. You are in good general health
One of the first requirements for patients that want dental implants is good general health. If you don't have any health conditions that might affect the dental implant healing process, this is a good sign. However, the following health conditions can affect the healing process of dental implants:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Osteonecrosis
- Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis
If you do have a health condition, consult your doctor and dentist to determine if you can still go ahead with dental implant surgery.
2. You don't smoke heavily
Smoking causes the blood vessels throughout your body to constrict over time. This reduces your body's ability to heal itself because your cells don't receive as much oxygen or as many nutrients as a non-smoker's cells do. And the success of dental implants relies on their ability to integrate with your jawbone.
If you smoke heavily, you need to reduce the number of cigarettes that you smoke to become a good candidate for dental implants.
3. You don't rely on heartburn medication or anti-depressants
Some medications, such as heartburn medication and antidepressants increase the risk of dental implant failure. This is because they have a negative impact on your body's ability to heal, especially where bone is concerned. Speak to your doctor and dentist if you take these medications. You may be able to switch to a different type of medication.
4. You have healthy gum tissues
If your gums are healthy and don't have any signs of severe gum disease (periodontitis), you may be right for dental implants. Periodontitis can damage both gum and bone tissue, which are both necessary to support dental implants. You may need to get gum and bone grafts, as well as treatment for your gum disease, if you wish to undergo dental implant treatment.
5. You have enough bone to support dental implants
Time also affects bone density in the jawbone. If you wait too long after losing teeth, you won't have enough bone to support dental implants because bone resorbs into the body after the loss of teeth. As mentioned earlier though, you might benefit from a bone graft if you have lost some bone in the area where you are missing teeth. This will make you a good candidate for dental implants.
6. You take good care of your oral health
If you practice good oral hygiene, then dental implants are right for you. This is because oral bacteria can cause infections in the tissues that surround dental implants, leading to dental implant failure. Consider increasing your oral hygiene efforts if you currently don't have a good oral hygiene routine but wish to get dental implants.
7. You need to replace one or more teeth
Finally, if you desire dental implants, then you are a good candidate if you wish to replace damaged or missing teeth. And if you don't like dentures, then dental implants are a much sturdier, attractive, and more comfortable option.
Even if you do have one or more issues that might affect the integration of dental implants, talk to your dentist or a local prosthodontist. With their help and advice, you may be able to make some changes to your lifestyle that will make you a better candidate for dental implants.
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