Dental implants offer all kinds of benefits that can make them a great option for filling in the gaps in your smile. However, before you can have them placed, your dentist will need to make sure that you’re a viable candidate for the treatment. Exactly what qualities will they be looking for? Here’s a closer look at 4 of the traits that can make dental implants a good fit for you.
1. Good Oral Health
You will only be able to receive dental implants if your mouth is in good health overall. In particular, your dentist will need to confirm that you don’t have gum disease; this oral health issue is a leading cause of dental implant failure. If you are currently suffering from gum disease, you will need to have the issue treated before you can move forward with the dental implant process.
2. Good Overall Health
Placing dental implants in your jaw is a minor surgical procedure. As such, it’s important to make sure that you’re in good enough health to have surgery performed. On top of that, your dentist will need to consider any systemic health issues that can raise your risk for dental implant failure, such as diabetes. Such issues won’t necessarily disqualify you from getting dental implants, but they need to be managed properly in order to minimize the chances of a complication occurring.
3. Sufficient Bone Density
Without a sufficient amount of bone, your dental implants won’t be able to integrate with the jaw and will become unstable as a result. It is therefore necessary for your dentist to evaluate your jawbone density in order to determine whether dental implants are a viable option in your case. Even if there currently isn’t enough bone in your jaw, there’s no need to worry; you might still qualify for dental implant placement after a bone grafting procedure.
4. A Commitment to Oral Hygiene
If you want to keep your dental implants for as long as possible, then you will have to commit to a lifetime of taking excellent care of them. In particular, you will need to be able to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You should also plan on visiting your dentist twice a year so that they can make sure that there aren’t any problems developing around your implant posts.
Remember, your candidacy for dental implants isn’t something you can determine on your own. If you think sturdy implant posts could be the best option for rebuilding your smile, the only way to know for sure is to schedule a consultation with your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Robert A. Whitmore earned his dental degree at Baylor School of Dentistry. He is currently an active board member with Dental Health Arlington, an organization that provides dental services to low-income individuals. With over 35 years of experience, he is able to offer his patients in Arlington a comprehensive menu of services that includes high-quality dental implant restorations. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Whitmore to find out whether dental implants are right for you, feel free to visit his website or call (817) 468-1212.