Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an incredible, very popular treatment for replacing missing teeth.

This unique treatment uses titanium posts to support your new restorations. The posts are surgically implanted into your jaw. As you heal, your bone fuses to the posts, stabilizing them to provide support for your new teeth.

Implants provide several amazing benefits including a more natural appearance, ease of care, and the preservation of your jawbone. This procedure involves placing titanium metal into your jawbone which serves as the base root for an artificial tooth.

While dental implants are highly popular and have a very high success rate, it is important to determine whether or not they are the right treatment for you. Optimum Oral Surgery Group can help.

If you are wondering whether you are the right candidate to have dental implants, the good news is that there are very few people who could not be considered as a candidate for dental implants.

Candidates for dental implants should have good oral and overall health as well as healthy gum tissues. It is also required to have sufficient jawbone density to support the implant.

At Optimum Oral Surgery Group, we are committed to delivering durable and quality teeth restorations using the best that technology has to offer. Our team will be glad to meet with you and talk about dental implants.

You Have Suffered Tooth Loss

Dental implants are a modern treatment used for replacing missing teeth. It is a customizable treatment and can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.

If you are not yet missing teeth, but need to undergo a tooth extraction, dental implants may be discussed as a replacement option before your teeth are removed.

You Are Healthy

To receive dental implants, you need to have surgery. To undergo surgery, you need to be in good overall health. Individuals with chronic health conditions will need to have their conditions well-managed before they can be considered candidates. You will also receive a thorough oral exam during your initial consultation.

Any conditions such as gum disease will need to be treated before undergoing implant surgery. If you have been scheduled for surgery, but develop a fever or feel ill shortly before your appointment, it is important to call our office. We may need to reschedule your appointment.

You Do Not Smoke or Drink

Smoking and drinking can significantly impact the ability of your body to heal after surgery. Cigarettes and other tobacco products contain numerous chemicals that are harmful to your health.

Smoking can limit the amount of oxygen in your blood as well as slow your blood flow, which can slow the delivery of nutrients essential for healing.

Alcohol consumption can affect the ability of your body to form clots. Before undergoing surgery, it is recommended that you quit these habits.

You Have Sufficient Bone Mass in Your Jaw

Following tooth loss, your jawbone begins to lose mass. This is because your bone loses the stimulation from your teeth. A lack of stimulation leads to fewer nutrients being sent to the jaw, which leads to bone loss and a weakening of the bone.

Dental implants rely on your jawbone for stability. If you have lost too much bone mass, your jaw may be unable to properly support your new teeth. If you do not have enough bone mass, a bone graft or bone morphogenic protein may be recommended.

Am I Too Old?

Many older patients often think that they are too old for dental implants. The truth, however, is that you are never too old to enjoy the incredible benefits that dental implants have to offer. So long as you meet other requirements, dental implants can restore your smile, the functions of your missing teeth, and your quality of life.

No matter if you are in your late 20s, early 70s, or older, implants could provide you with the tooth loss solution you have been looking for.

Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?

You can still have dental implants even if you have severe bone loss. There are several ways to go about it where dental implants can be placed. Patients with severe bone loss require either a zygomatic dental implant or a bone graft.

What is a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?

A dental bone graft is required whenever severe bone loss has occurred in your jaw. This dentistry procedure is performed when bone loss is negatively affecting neighboring teeth or prior to dental implant placement. A dental bone graft enhances the density and volume of your jaw in areas in spaces where the loss of bone has occurred.

Bone graft material is usually taken from your body (most commonly hip bones, tibia, or other parts of jawbone) and grafted into the part of the bone needed to support dental implants. There are some dentists who use artificial bone matter produced commercially or bone matter that is offered by outside donors.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Grind My Teeth?

The dental term for clenching or grinding is bruxism. It is side-to-side rubbing of the bottom teeth against the top teeth or squeezing of the bottom teeth against the top teeth. Many people who clench or grind are unaware that they do so and commonly happens at night when they are sleeping. Teeth clenching and grinding can increase the risk of implant failure.

But if you want the implant treatment to be successful, then the implant must fuse to the jawbone and this process is called osseointegration. If this process is interrupted due to grinding, then the implant will not fuse properly.

However, grinding your teeth does not eliminate you from getting dental implants. Since bruxism is partially caused by stress, you can try stress management strategies to manage stress and increase the chances of dental implant success.

Can You Get Dental Implants with Gum Disease?

You need to have strong and healthy gums to get a dental implant. Gum disease dissolves and weakens the bone and gum tissues.

Even after you have treated the disease, your jawbone and gum tissues may not be strong enough to support dental implants.

Optimum Oral Surgery Group is a highly experienced reconstructive and cosmetic dentist who can help you restore your smile. Schedule your appointment and we'll discuss the best treatment plan for you.

Schedule A Consult Today

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and finding out if they are the right treatment for you, call Optimum Oral Surgery Group at (856) 437-4432 to schedule your consultation today.