5 Qualities of a Good Dental Implant Candidate

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there! Since they replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of additional benefits that you can’t find with dentures and dental bridges. If you are interested in replacing your missing teeth, you must first find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Here are some of the qualities that dental professionals look for in a dental implant candidate.

Excellent Oral Hygiene

If you don’t care for your smile now, how will your dentist know that you will care for your dental implants? Implants must be well maintained to be successful. This means brushing twice and flossing every day. Another helpful step is rinsing with a mouthwash to fight against harmful bacteria. With healthy surrounding teeth, your dental implants are much more likely to last long-term.

Healthy Gums

You are more likely to develop gum disease when you have dental implants than with natural teeth. When you have plaque buildups along your gumline, an infection can develop. Over time, pockets will form between the teeth and gums where harmful bacteria collect. In the end, if you don’t receive treatment, the bacteria will attack the bone that supports your implant. Healthy gum tissue is required to support a healthy implant.

Good Lifestyle Choices

If you have a habit of smoking or drinking heavily, you will need to avoid this during the dental implant process. Smoking doubles your risk of developing gum disease and slows down the healing process. If you smoke before your surgery, this can contribute to bone loss and make it more challenging for the implants to be placed. Drinking excessively can also interfere with the healing process by causing dry mouth and inhibiting the formation of the blood clot.

Sufficient Jawbone

Dental implants must be firmly anchored into the jawbone. They fuse together in a process called “osseointegration.” However, when you are missing teeth, the jawbone isn’t being stimulated by regular biting and chewing, so it is reabsorbed by the body. Ultimately, you will experience bone loss. It can even shrink to the point where it can no longer properly support an implant. At this point, bone grafting is required, or you will need to choose another tooth replacement option.

Great Overall Health

Some chronic diseases can create risks for patients who are getting implant surgery. For example. If you have diabetes, you may be more likely to experience dental implant failure. This is because diabetes makes it more difficult for the body to prevent and fight back infections. It can also interfere with the osseointegration process. Health disease and sleep apnea can affect the anesthesia during your procedure. You should discuss your health conditions with your dentist ahead of time to ensure that it is safe to move forward with the implant process.

To find out if dental implants are right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist. This way, they can examine your smile and put together a plan that best meets your needs.

About the Author

Dr. David M. Weinman is an experienced dentist serving patients in the Westfield area. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the prestigious School of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut. Since then, he has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education. He is a proud Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (908) 654-7200.