Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Have you lost a tooth, or are you perhaps missing several teeth? At any rate, statistics show that the average grownup loses one permanent tooth during their lifetime. When you lose any number of teeth, you become susceptible to long-term problems that may not be obvious at first. Some of the problems include bone loss, face shape changes, and increased risk for periodontal disease.

As such, implants are more than a cosmetic solution. They can remarkably boost your oral health. But you must go through a dental exam to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants.

First, What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a metal screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Dental implants work like teeth roots. They support false teeth, such as bridges, crowns, and dentures. Dentists surgically fix dental implants into the jaw to recover a person’s look or ability to chew.

How Do Dentists Evaluate Your Suitability for Dental Implants?

Your dentist at Cal Oaks Dental will ask you several questions and perform some tests. For example, your dentist will ask you about your previous and current medical history, along with the medications you take.

Additionally, your dentist will evaluate your teeth and gums. This may involve taking X-rays and advanced scans of your teeth and jaws. Based on the results from the evaluation, your dentist can determine whether you qualify for dental implants.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The following factors can tell you whether you qualify for dental implants.

Bone Thickness

How healthy is your jawbone? A thick jawbone is usually a sign of strong and healthy jaws. It shows that you have enough bone in your jaw to hold the implant in place. When you miss a tooth, the bone that held up your tooth slowly starts to weaken. The bone can never grow back once you lose it.

Dental implants are fixed surgically into the jawbone, so there has to be sufficient bone in your jaw to support the implants. If you do not have enough jawbone, your dentist at may recommend a bone graft procedure. This will help qualify you for dental implants.

Gum Health

Because dentists place dental implants into the gums, you must have healthy gums before the surgery. If you have a dental health problem, such as gum disease, your dentist will need to treat it first.

Oral Hygiene

Staying clear of infection is crucial, especially when keeping your dental implants. One part of this requires that you stick to good oral hygiene habits. The other part requires regular visits to your dentist for monitoring, checkups, and professional teeth cleanings. For people with dental implants a typical dental checkup is visiting the dentist at Cal Oaks Dental every three months.

Smoking

General good health is essential for dental implants. Hence, smoking could disqualify you from getting the procedure. Tobacco use is not only harmful to your oral health, but it can also slow your recovery after getting the implant.

If you are thinking about getting dental implants, talk to your dentist to see if they are appropriate for your situation.

For more on dental implants, visit Cal Oaks Dental at our office in Murrieta, California. You can also call (951) 501-4900 to book an appointment today.