Dental implants are the gold standard of teeth replacement. They provide a look and function that rivals your natural teeth. But dental implants may not be right for everyone. Some people are immediately eligible for dental implants, while others may need some preparation.
Are you a candidate for dental implants? Here’s what you need to know to determine if implants may be the right dental prosthetic for you.
How Dental Implants Work
To understand what it takes to be a candidate for dental implants, it is necessary to know how they work. Dental implants are surgically placed in the jaw. These titanium posts are designed to bond with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Once the bond has been established, an implant can act as an anchor to support a dental prosthetic. One dental implant can support a crown to replace a single tooth. Multiple dental implants can support a bridge or dentures to replace multiple teeth in a single prosthetic.
Criteria for Dental Implant Eligibility
- Good oral health. If your oral health is good, you are more likely to have a successful experience with dental implants.
- One or more missing or unsavable teeth. If you have one or more teeth that are missing or need to be extracted due to severe damage or decay, you may be a candidate for dental implants.
- Sufficient bone structure in the jaw. For a dental implant to be placed successfully, the jaw bone must be wide enough and dense enough to support it. Those with significant bone loss may not be immediately eligible for dental implants.
- Non-smoker. Most dentists will tell you that you need to quit smoking or be a non-smoker before you can be a candidate for dental implants. Smoking interferes with the healing of tissues following dental implant surgery, increasing the risk of implant failure.
- Good oral hygiene habits. To ensure the success of your dental implants, you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene habits, like brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Rinsing with mouthwash can help to reduce the buildup of plaque on implants as well as teeth.
- General health and wellness. It is recommended that candidates for dental implants have good overall health to ensure proper healing and osseointegration.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
The best way to determine if you are eligible for dental implants is to have an evaluation by an oral surgeon. Through a brief assessment that includes 3D cone beam imaging, your oral health and bone density are evaluated, as well as the other criteria listed above. If you are not immediately ready for dental implants, some steps may need to be taken to prepare you, such as bone grafting to strengthen your jaw. Most patients can become ideal candidates for dental implants even if they are not at the first evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
How long does it take to get dental implants?
The entire process from the initial consultation to the final restoration can take a few months to a year or more. The more preparation you require to be eligible for dental implants, the longer it may take.
Does dental implant placement hurt?
A variety of anesthesia and sedation options are available to ensure your dental implant placement surgery is as comfortable as possible. Talk to your oral surgeon about your anesthesia options.
At Costello Oral Surgery Associates we believe that all patients should have access to the best tooth restoration options available in dentistry. Our wide range of oral surgery procedures provide the treatment you need to achieve optimal oral health. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.