Dental Implants: Who Is a Good Candidate?
For patients who are missing teeth, dental implants are an excellent restorative dentistry solution to consider. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue of a patient's mouth through oral surgery. During the healing process, the implant posts fuse with the bone tissue, a process known as osseointegration. This allows the dental implants to support dental appliances with a stability that is comparable to natural tooth roots.
With dental implants in place, a person can bite, chew, laugh, and smile as if they had their natural teeth in place. Bridges, dentures, and even individual dental crowns are unlikely to come loose thanks to the nature of treatment. The team at South Ogden Smiles would like to consider who is a good candidate for dental implants.
General Candidacy for Dental Implants
Good candidates for dental implants are people who are missing a tooth or multiple teeth. They should be in good overall health and not suffer from any medical conditions that would make oral surgery a hazard to their general wellness.
Implant Dentistry for Varying Degrees of Tooth Loss
Candidates for dental implants may be missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or most of their teeth. Multiple dental implants or a single dental implant can be used to address the extent of a patient's tooth loss. Various configurations of dental implants can also be considered for people missing most or all of their teeth to maximize stability and overall function.
Sufficient Bone and Gum Tissue
Dental implants require strong bone structure and gum tissue to be supported. That's why it's crucial for patients to have enough bone density and gum tissue in place for surgery to be viable. Unfortunately, tooth loss can lead to bone loss and gum recession over time.
Thankfully for people who have experienced major bone loss and gum recession, there are surgeries to rebuild these structures. Bone grafting and gum grafting can make a person a suitable candidate for dental implants. These surgeries will require their own healing time, increasing the overall cost and length of treatment, but many patients set on getting dental implants find these procedures worthwhile.
Understanding the Cost of Treatment
Getting dental implants can be costly given the amount of oral surgery and professional attention required. Some patients may prefer the affordability of traditional bridges and dentures. With this in mind, there are financing options and payment plants available that can make dental implants a reality for people of limited financial means at the moment.
Knowing the Risks and Benefits
Any kind of involved dental surgery procedure carries some degree of risk. It's important for every dental implant patient to be aware of the risks and well as the benefits of treatment. This will help them prepare for the oral surgery and follow post-op recovery instructions to the letter.
Realistic Expectations About Dental Implants
The dental implant process takes several months to complete, and patients need to keep that in mind. The process cannot be rushed, and patients need to put in some effort with lifestyle changes and adherence to proper oral hygiene practices. Keeping expectations in check can improve the patient's overall experience with implant dentistry, and can enhance overall satisfaction with restorative dentistry treatment.
Contact South Ogden Smiles
For more information about dental implants and whether or not they're an ideal option for you, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The team at South Ogden Smiles will work with you to enhance your overall dental health and wellness.