Dental implants are a unique restorative dentistry option, helping patients with severe tooth loss restore their smiles to optimal condition. However, getting them is also an intricate process, often requiring surgical interventions, so it's key to ensure you’re apt for the treatment with a Heartland oral surgery and dental implants expert beforehand.
While the only way to know whether dental implants are the right treatment for you is by visiting our dental office, some key factors affect a patient’s implant eligibility. To help you gain a better understanding of this, we created this guide.
What Are Dental Implants and Why Are They an Option?
Dental implants are a unique dental restoration that allows patients with missing teeth to recover the functionality of their smiles. Unlike other treatment options, like dentures or dental bridges, implants imitate the structure of your natural tooth to offer increased stability.
Implants include a titanium post attached to your jawbone and a custom-made dental crown on top. Titanium is a biocompatible material, which means it integrates with your natural bone—just like your natural teeth’s roots do! This ensures you can enjoy a strong and durable prosthetic tooth that allows you to enjoy all of your favorite foods without worries.
Moreover, the implant’s presence helps stimulate your jawbone, enhancing your bone health and preventing bone resorption. However, precisely because it involves inserting the prosthetic root in your bone, patients considering dental implants need to meet certain conditions.
Understanding the Dental Implant Procedure
Understanding the procedure is key before breaking down what makes a good candidate for dental implants. The implant placement process involves multiple stages, ensuring a secure and functional result.
- Initial Consultation and Planning: The first step is to conduct a thorough dental examination, which may include X-rays or 3D imaging to assess bone structure and oral health. We will evaluate if you have sufficient bone density for implant placement.
- Bone Graft: If you lack sufficient bone density, a bone graft may be recommended before proceeding. This procedure strengthens the jawbone, ensuring it can support the implant. Healing from a bone graft can take several months.
- Implant Placement Surgery: The dentist places a titanium post (the implant) into the jawbone during this procedure. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, and a small incision is made in the gum. Then, the implant is inserted into the bone and the gums are sutured over it. The healing process, called osseointegration, takes 3-6 months as the bone fuses with the implant.
- Abutment Placement: Once the implant integrates with the bone, an abutment (a small connector) is attached. This part will hold the final crown.
- Crown Placement: A custom-made crown is then attached to the abutment, restoring the tooth’s function and aesthetics. The final result mimics a natural tooth in appearance and function.
So, Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
As you can see, implant placement requires optimal bone density, oral health, and general well-being to lower the risk of complications and raise the possibility of a long-lasting and successful dental implant restoration.
It’s thanks to such strict requirements that implants have been proven to be a unique dental restoration. In fact, dental implants have a high success rate, with studies indicating an overall success rate of approximately 95-98% over 10 years. However, to achieve this, patients should meet some conditions, such as:
1. Oral Health and Gum Condition
Because implant placement requires oral surgery, good oral health is essential. That means there should be no cavities, other untreated dental problems, or active gum disease. Healthy gums are essential because they support the implant's successful integration with the jawbone and give it a solid base.
If we identify any potential issues, we’ll have to address them before the implant surgery. These issues could be prevented with regular dental check-ups and comprehensive teeth cleanings.
2. Sufficient Bone Density
One of the most important requirements for dental implant candidates is having enough bone density in the jawbone. A strong base is required for the titanium implant post to integrate properly and support the replacement tooth.
Additional treatments, such as bone grafting, might be required to increase bone density in patients who have lost bone due to factors like tooth extraction or periodontal disease. This ensures enough bone to support the implant, leading to a stable and successful long-term restoration.
3. Good Overall Health and Medical History
Their medical history and general health largely determine a candidate's dental implant suitability. During the evaluation process, it is critical to let the implant specialist know about any chronic illnesses, medical conditions, or medications.
Certain illnesses or drugs can hamper the body's capacity to heal, which could compromise the outcome of the implant procedure. Furthermore, immune-compromising disorders or autoimmune diseases might necessitate careful evaluation and possibly adjusted treatment regimens.
A thorough evaluation supports a successful and secure outcome by confirming that the candidate's general health is compatible with the dental implant procedure.
4. Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle decisions like smoking and binge drinking can have a big influence on a person's eligibility for dental implants. Smoking is particularly problematic because it can impair the body's healing process and raise the possibility of implant failure because tobacco slows down blood flow to the gums and bone, delaying healing.
Drinking too much alcohol can also hinder the body's ability to heal after surgery. Before undergoing dental implant surgery, candidates who engage in these behaviors might be advised to modify their lifestyle to increase the likelihood of successful implant integration and long-term implant stability.
5. Commitment to Aftercare
If you’re considering a dental implant, committing to the aftercare routine is a must. Candidates should maintain good oral hygiene, brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly.
Candidates should also keep follow-up appointments with their implant specialist on the suggested schedule. These post-implant examinations are essential for tracking the implant's integration, quickly resolving any possible problems, and guaranteeing the restoration's long-term success.
Enhance Your Oral Health with Heartland Oral Surgery and Dental Implants
A missing tooth can cause many problems, so getting it replaced promptly is crucial to preserve your dental health and maintain your smile. While several considerations must be made before getting dental implants, generally, most patients are able to get this treatment.
With good oral health, adequate bone density, and a commitment to post-implant care, you’ll be able to enjoy this dental restoration for several years to come. Contact Mirror Lake today if you’d like a professional’s opinion on your case!
