Have you been wanting to get dental implants to replace your missing teeth, but not sure if you can get them? If so, it helps to know what makes someone a good candidate to receive dental implants.
No Periodontal Disease
One of the main things a dentist is going to look for is if you have signs of periodontal disease prior to getting a dental implant. Periodontal disease is known to cause complications with new dental implants that may cause you to be unable to go through with the procedure. The fear is that an issue with existing periodontal disease will cause the area around the dental implant to become infected in some situations. It can eventually lead to the entire dental implant failing as well in a worst-case scenario.
If you have healthy gum tissue with no history of periodontal disease, then you should be a great candidate for the procedure. You should have no problems finding a dentist that is willing to move forward with installing dental implants.
Great Jaw Bone Density
The density of your jawbone also plays a huge role in if you can get dental implants. This is because a dental implant requires a dense jawbone for the implant to be inserted into. If you do not have a jawbone that is dense enough, the jawbone will not be able to support the implant on its own.
Part of the consultation will require having an x-ray taken of your mouth to look at the size and shape of your jawbone. If the jawbone looks healthy overall but is just not very dense in the area where the implant will be going, know that there are ways to strengthen it. A dentist may recommend a bone graft to give the implant something to hold onto and secure itself in place.
Jawbones sometimes lose density in an area if a tooth has been missing for quite some time. The jawbone may not receive the stimulation it needs and actually deteriorate over time. It's a good reason to not delay the process of getting a dental implant.
No Diabetes
Your dentist will also want to know about your history with diabetes. This is because patients with diabetes can have a harder time with their body healing, which is necessary for a dental implant to integrate itself with your jaw bone. That said, people with diabetes can still move forward with getting a dental implant but may have a higher risk of failure.
For more information about dental implants, contact a dentist.
Share17 March 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.