The dental care field has significantly improved over the years. Today, you have much to explore as you strive to improve oral health. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean you are shielded from dental concerns. You can still lose a tooth, such as due to trauma. You can opt for dental implants when a tooth is lost or damaged. Dental implants Beaumont are custom-made to function, feel, and look like natural teeth. This means they restore and improve dental function and your looks. They are also convenient and last longer, saving you time and money.
While dental implants offer many advantages, the treatment is not for everyone. Here are some considerations to help you establish if you are a good dental implant candidate.
Jawbone
Is your jawbone strong and has adequate depth for the implant? Implants fuse with the jawbone to provide stability and power, much like your natural tooth. As such, a thin and weak jawbone can’t support dental implants. After losing a tooth, the jawbone starts to deteriorate due to the lack of stimulation from the tooth roots as you chew.
If you have lost significant strength and depth, you may be advised to consider a bone graft procedure to facilitate a successful dental implant. Grafting encourages bone growth, which can strengthen the target area for implant placement. If you have a healthy jawbone or bone grafting is viable, you can have dental implants.
Gum
Do you have healthy gums that fit snugly around the teeth? Such a fit holds the teeth in place and protects the roots. If your gums are unhealthy, they will hardly fuse with the implants and provide support and protection. Gum disease, for example, causes the gums to recede, impacting their effectiveness. Moreover, the disease can cause peri-implantitis, a dental implant infection. The infection can lead to implant failure and bone loss, especially if untreated.
Habits
Do you smoke? You would need to quit smoking to be a good dental implant candidate. Smoking increases the chances of developing gum disease. Moreover, since smoking impacts blood flow, it interferes with the healing process, leaving enough room for complications such as infections that can cause implant failure.
Health
You may not be a great dental implant candidate if you are battling chronic conditions. Conditions such as sleep apnea and heart disease can affect anesthesia use, which is necessary during the placement procedure, increasing complication risks. Others, like diabetes, mean you are at risk of gum disease, increasing peri-implantitis chances, and implant failure.
You may not be a good candidate if you have bruxism, characterized by tooth grinding and clenching, since the habit impacts the implants’ healing process. Talk to your dentist and disclose any health condition you are battling to determine if dental implants are right for your situation.
Commitment
Dental implants deliver many benefits, but the process is not a cakewalk. It happens in stages and can take time, requiring commitment. Besides the treatment, you also need to remain committed to their care. While they are not natural, dental implants still need practical care to remain in shape for an extended period. This means good oral hygiene, including routine dental visits for cleaning and checkups.
Dental implants can restore your smile, speech, bite, and chewing functions, making it easier to keep your oral health in top shape for an extended period. Visit Daniel Park, DDS, to learn if out are a good dental implant candidate.