There is a reason more than 500,000 dental implants are placed each year. With millions of people already enjoying life with these permanent prosthetics, it’s no surprise they are becoming more popular among individuals with tooth loss. If you are interested in choosing a more permanent solution to repair your incomplete smile, you may wonder if you’re an eligible candidate for treatment. Before arriving for your consultation, here are a few of the potential issues that may hinder your ability to move forward with dental implants in Bonita Springs and what your dentist can do to help.
Dental Implant Success: The Factors That Can Pose a Problem
When meeting with your implant dentist to discuss the potential for dental implants, you’ll discover they will perform a full examination of your oral cavity and facial structures. In discussing your oral and overall health, several factors can play a role in your eligibility for these permanent prosthetics, such as:
- Your jawbone density: If your bone has deteriorated over time, it may be necessary to have a bone graft to strengthen this structure and ensure a firm foundation for your new teeth.
- Your lifestyle habits: If you smoke, you will be at a much higher risk for dental implant failure because of your body’s inability to heal properly. As a result, osseointegration may not be successful.
- Gum disease: If inflammation and infection exist within the gum tissue, a dental implant cannot be placed until the area is properly treated with periodontal therapy. Otherwise, the titanium post will fail.
- Autoimmune disorders/health conditions: If your body’s immune system is weakened because of diabetes or another similar health problem, it can prolong your recovery phase and make it more likely that your implants will not fuse properly.
How a Qualified Dentist Can Help
Most adults suffering from some form of tooth loss are eligible to receive dental implants. The catch is whether they are free to move onto the surgical portion of the process immediately following the consultation or if preliminary treatments are necessary. In many cases, additional procedures are required to ensure optimal stability and success for future dental implants.
Bone grafts, sinus lifts, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, and other common services are often necessary parts of any dental implant process. Your dentist will decide this during your initial consultation. This is one of the few reasons why this type of tooth replacement takes much longer than receiving dentures or dental bridges. However, the benefits and cost-effectiveness are well worth the wait.
It’s important to remember that even if your dentist does require one or more additional procedures before receiving your dental implants, they are designed to ensure long-lasting results. You can trust that as long as you are seeing a skilled and experienced implant dentist, your smile is in good hands.
About the Author
Dr. Lacy Gilbert is ready to make your dreams come true with the help of dental implants. If you’re living with tooth loss and no longer want to spend your life with an incomplete smile, Dr. Gilbert and the team at Pelican Landing Dental are here to build a personalized treatment plan around your needs. Whether you’re missing one, multiple, or all your teeth, these titanium posts and customized restorations will give you improved functionality, greater stability, and longer-lasting results. If you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, visit the website or call (239) 948-2111.
