Dental implants can make a smile look fabulous – I know I have them. However, if you are just thinking about getting them, you may have a lot of questions. You may be wondering how smoking affects implants, whether or not wine will stain them, if they can be whitened or other concerns. I also know from experience that it can be intimidating to ask some of these questions to your dentist. In my dental implant blog, I am going to answer the questions that can be hard to ask. I hope you find the info you need in this blog and that it guides you to the right decision about dental implants. Thanks for reading!
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4 Signs You Are a Good Candidate For Dental Implants
Isobel Berry
Dental implants allow you to replace missing teeth by drilling a metal post into the jawbone of your missing tooth, then placing an abutment and artificial tooth on top. It looks and functions like a natural tooth and is often seen as the best option for replacing missing teeth. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Here are some signs that you would be a good candidate for dental implants.
You Take Good Care of Your Teeth
When you get dental implants, you need to have very good dental hygiene; otherwise, you are at risk for a dental infection. If you don't have a good history of brushing and flossing regularly, or you currently have some plaque, you are at a higher risk for infection and various other problems. However, if you are someone that always takes very good care of your teeth, then you are likely a good candidate for dental implants.
You Don't Have Multiple Teeth to Replace
While dental implants can be used for fixed dentures, they are most often chosen when you have just one or two teeth to replace. It is a complex procedure that requires a long healing process, so it isn't the best option when you have multiple teeth to replace. If you have several teeth that are missing, you are probably better off with either a fixed dental bridge or a partial denture.
You Have Good Bone Health
Dental implants require a metal post to be implanted into the jaw bone of your missing tooth. If there is no bone there, the oral surgeon has to first complete a bone graft, then wait for new bone growth before completing the procedure. Therefore, if you are someone that has good bone health and sufficient bone where you have a missing tooth, you are likely a good candidate for dental implants. This is why it is important to get your implants soon after losing the tooth, since bone deteriorates over time.
You Want a More Permanent Option
If you are someone that doesn't just want to replace the missing tooth, but choose the most realistic and permanent option, you are a good candidate for dental implants. While the procedure takes longer and costs more, you also get more in return. The implant itself is considered permanent since your bone actually heals around the post, holding it in place. So while you may replace the abutment and crown, the implant itself should remain in place.
Talk to your dentist for more information.
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