Dental implants are a popular oral restoration apparatus, ideal for patients who are missing one or more teeth. Specifically, a dental implant is an artificial tooth that holds either a replacement tooth or bridge. There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. The former is the more common type of implant, which is surgically placed into the jawbone. Conversely, subperiosteal implants are those that are placed on top of the jaw, rather than in it.
While dental implants are an effective and long-lasting oral care solution, not everybody is a candidate for the procedure. Just how do you know whether or not you’re a good candidate for it? Here’s a look at some factors ideal dental implant candidates possess:
- Good gums: This is important because dental implants are very intimately connected with the gums in the mouth. Therefore, patients that have gum disease or periodontal disease are not ideal candidates for the procedure.
- Good bone density: Similar to why healthy gums are important, so is having good bone density. That’s because you need a sufficient amount of bone in order to adequately support the implant.
- Good oral health: Aside from the missing tooth, or teeth, that is being treated, good dental implant candidates have an otherwise healthy and well cared for mouth.
- Patience: Aside from the various oral health factors that make up a good dental implant candidate, another important intangible is patience – specifically, if the patient being treated exhibits the trait. That’s because the mouth can take a long time to heal after the process itself, sometimes as long as 6 months. In fact, the entire process itself may take anywhere from 4 months to a year to fully complete. This is because implants can only be placed after the site where the bone was grafted has fully healed. What’s more is that following placement of the implant, it can take an additional 6 months for the mouth to heal before crowns can be placed. As you can see, patience is important.
- Other factors: There are numerous other factors that good candidates for dental implants exhibit. For instance, non-smokers (or those who are willing to stop for the duration of the process) are preferred. Also, candidates must not have any diseases or disorders that impact the body’s ability to heal. Finally, those who have been treated for oral cancers via biophosphate medications are normally not ideal candidates.
How do you check out based on the above qualifications? It’s worth noting that in some of the cases listed above, such as healthy gums, you can pay greater attention to your oral care habits to correct minor issues to better your candidacy for dental implants. It should go without saying that a thorough consultation with your dentist should be in order before any decisions are made on the matter, however.
For more information on the dental implant process, and what characteristics ideal candidates exhibit, contact Caven Dental today.
