Dental implants provide highly beneficial and comprehensive tooth replacement for patients suffering from tooth loss. Whether the patient lost one, several, or an entire arch of teeth, a dental patient can find reliable, secure prosthetic teeth with implants.
Not all patients will be eligible for this type of restorative dental solution. A dentist will need to evaluate the existing dental structure to ensure they can sustain these fixtures.
Schedule a dental consultation to learn if implants are right for your unique smile by calling your dentist’s office. Read on to find three characteristics a dentist will look for in their patient before proceeding with dental implant treatment.
Seeks Permanent Tooth Replacement
A dental implant features a titanium post anchor that the dentist surgically inserts into the jaw. While you heal, the anchor fuses with the bone in the jaw to create a strong, solid foundation that will ultimately support the prosthetic teeth of the implant.
Because of this fusion process, dentists consider implants to be a permanent tooth replacement solution. You cannot remove a dental implant without assistance from a dentist. And the implant can last for twenty years or longer without requiring replacement.
Some people might prefer removable prosthetic teeth like dentures for more flexibility. But many others appreciate that they do not have to worry about replacing oral appliances or their devices slipping out of place at an inopportune moment. Talk to your dentist about your preferences to learn if implant dentistry is right for you.
Maintains Good Oral Health
In order for the fusion of the implanted anchor with the jawbone to occur successfully, you must retain enough healthy bone in the jaw. One of the effects of tooth loss is that the jawbone could start to deteriorate without the stimulation of a tooth’s root. Your dentist can use x-ray imaging to evaluate your jawbone health and ensure you have enough structure to support the implant.
You must also have healthy gum tissue to sustain a dental implant. Advanced gum disease can cause gum recession and damage the tissue. Without support from the gums, your implant could be at risk of failing.
Adhere to good oral hygiene before, during, and after receiving dental implants to protect your gums and your device. Attend routine dental check-ups too to ensure your oral health and your implant are both in good standing.
Willing to Commit to the Implant Dentistry Process
Implant dentistry involves three or more appointments at your dentist’s office over the course of several months. You will need to attend an initial consultation and then schedule oral surgery to place the anchor of the implant. Once you heal from this procedure after a few months, you return to the dentist to receive your prosthetic teeth.
Because this is not an immediate process, the ideal candidate for dental implants will understand that this treatment involves multiple steps. And they will exhibit patience and keep the end result in mind. For details about what to expect when during dental implant treatment, schedule a dental consultation.