Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Port Angeles, WA
Dental Implants provided by Stephen J. Turella, DMD
in Port Angeles, WA at Turella Oral Surgery
Dental implants are the best solution to attaining healthy, natural-looking teeth that function flawlessly and provide a great result. Choosing to replace missing teeth with tooth implants is the best decision you can make today. At Turella Oral Surgery, our team is dedicated to providing quality, durable restoration featuring the best technology in implant dentistry. If you are considering replacing missing teeth, you may be wondering if you are a candidate for dental implants.
Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most people are candidates for dental implants. If you can get a tooth extraction procedure, you are most likely a candidate for tooth implants. Even so, dentists want to make sure your health is in good condition, to allow you to receive implants. Some people may not get implants. Others may require additional treatments before they can receive implants.
Introduction to Dental Implants
While in the past patients seeking to replace teeth had to choose between dentures and bridges, nowadays, dental implants are the chosen restoration. They eliminate most of the challenges that come with bridges and dentures. These versatile restorations prove to be durable, highly functional, and aesthetically pleasing. With your dental implants in place, you have teeth that function as well as your natural teeth. These replacement teeth also feel comfortable and are highly convenient. In fact, most people don't even realize that they have artificial teeth.
Understanding Dental Implants
Dentists replace missing teeth with dental implants by first inserting the implant posts through the gum tissue into the bone. Here, the implants bond firmly with the bone, providing a stable foundation for anchoring your artificial teeth. The implant posts take the place of the roots of the missing teeth. The crown, which is attached to the implant post, serves as the visible part of the tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Opting for dental implants comes with numerous benefits. Tooth implants promote oral health since it is easier to clean your mouth. They stop bone resorption, which is a big problem for those who fail to get their missing teeth replaced. Further, tooth implants are long lasting. The titanium and zirconia material utilized in the procedure make a powerful replacement tooth root. The only component that you might have to replace is the crown.
Crowns last roughly 15 years, and it is easy to replace them once they wear down or get damaged. Just make sure that you maintain excellent dental hygiene and don't skip your scheduled routine dental visits for checkups and cleanings. With dental implants you are able to eat whatever you want. There are no restrictions, as there can be with dentures and bridges. Furthermore, dental implants allow you to speak properly, as there is no longer a missing tooth gap which can make pronouncing certain words difficult.
Factors Affecting Candidacy
Before a dentist declares you fit for tooth implants, there are certain things that have to be checked. Some issues like prevailing oral conditions including gum disease and decay have to be resolved. Chronic conditions like diabetes can affect your candidacy. Your bone health is another aspect that impacts the dentist's decision as to whether you should get dental implants or not. Having insufficient bone mass may limit you from receiving dental implants. Luckily, dentists can take care of this problem by conducting a bone grafting procedure to restore the bone mass and volume.
Oral Health Assessment
Your oral health evaluation may reveal issues that could impact the success rate of implants. A dentist will need to check for any prevailing dental issues like caries, gum disease, or bone health. X-rays are conducted to check any hidden dental concerns that have to be resolved first. At this time, the dentist will let you know if you qualify for implants.
Medical History Evaluation
Your medical history is another crucial aspect that dentists look at. People who have a history of serious conditions like osteoporosis need specialist treatment. Otherwise, the dentist may consider other options for replacing your teeth. Again, your past medical history can reveal conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. These health conditions adversely affect your dental implant replacement and the success rate. Even so, they can still be managed and allow you to have dental implants placed.
Bone Density and Jaw Structure
When your bone density is low, it implies that the implant post may not securely be fitted into the jaw. It is only until the bone is rebuilt that you can get your implants. Additionally, the jaw structure affects implant placement in several ways. The back teeth within the lower jaw are situated above the mandibular nerve. Therefore, it is crucial that the dentist ensures the implant does not go too close to the nerve. Also, the maxillary sinus restricts the upper jawbone, particularly for the teeth at the back of the mouth. If you lose an upper tooth, you may not have sufficient bone that can hold and secure the implant. You may require a procedure known as a sinus lift to help add bone.
Pre-Existing Dental Conditions
If you suffer from gum disease, decay, or bone recession, they can limit your ability for getting dental implants. As such, you will have to get these conditions addressed. If you receive implants with gum disease or decay present, there are increased odds of the dental implants failing.
Age Considerations
Another detail that dentists consider is the age of the patient. While there isn't any upper age limit for dental implants, it is crucial that the healing process is handled carefully for older patients. After receiving implant surgery, an older patient will tend to heal more slowly compared to a young patient. Patients must be at least 18 years old and have a fully formed jawbone.
Lifestyle and Habits
People who smoke and consume alcohol may have challenges in maintaining healthy and functional dental implants. These habits can not only delay the healing process but also may risk the implants failing thereafter. A dentist may ask you to quit these habits if you want your dental implants to remain healthy and function well.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The process for placing dental implants starts with the mounting of the implant post. A dentist has to insert the post into the jaw. Thereafter, you have about three to six months of healing time. During this duration, the implant metal post fuses and bonds with the bone. After that, you will come back in to have the crown placed and cemented onto the implant. An abutment is utilized to connect the implant post and the crown.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Talk to us at Turella Oral Surgery to discuss your candidacy for dental implants and how we carry out the treatment. Give us a call at (360) 912-8244 to schedule a consultation. |
