Who is a Candidate?At Pine Belt Periodontics, PLLC, we get tons of questions about dental procedures. However, one of the most common questions asked by our patients is whether they are candidates for dental implants. If you’re looking for a way to replace non-restorable teeth, then a dental implant is the best option. Nevertheless, if you already have a missing tooth through other means such as an extraction, then implants are also a worthy consideration. Dental implants are the only restorations capable of mimicking the natural teeth both in appearance and in functionality. It’s important to note that candidacy will vary from one patient to another, depending on a multitude of factors. However, there are common factors that apply to all individuals before you can go in for this treatment. Great Oral HealthWhile some circumstances, such as an accident, may force you to consider dental implants, you’ll still have to be of good oral health to qualify as a candidate for this procedure. This includes overall oral hygiene, which is essential for new implants. Otherwise, the entire procedure will yield no tangible results since they may end up damaged by bacteria if you’re not keen on oral health. You may be of good oral health, but other health conditions may form a barrier to a dental implant procedure. For this reason, it’s critical to provide our dentist with a complete history of your health. This will assist us in plotting the way forward, including choosing the best procedure for maximum comfort and successful treatment. Furthermore, we can get in touch with your medical doctor directly for an in-depth discussion. Also, if you’re a tobacco user, you may want to let us know before the procedure. Healthy BoneBefore anything else, our dentist will examine your jaws to determine whether you have enough bone to support a dental implant. Not only will they check for the amount of bone but also whether it's healthy for the procedure. Periodontal disease or osteoporosis can cause bone loss which, in the long run, can disqualify you as a candidate for a dental implant. However, we offer bone grafting coupled with implant therapy to increase the bone quality and quantity necessary for the procedure. Age can also be a restriction to candidacy. Growth patterns vary between males and females. Therefore, such a procedure isn’t suitable for growing teens since the teeth and jawbones may not have attained full maturity. Depending on the implant location, more time may be the best way forward. Are you a candidate? If you want to know whether you’re a right candidate, please feel free to discuss your needs, concerns, and what you expect from the entire procedure with our qualified dentist at Pine Belt Periodontics, PLLC, at (601) 255-9929 any time. |
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