Are you insecure about your missing teeth? Do they make you want to hide your smile? Whether you have just one or multiple of your pearly whites missing, finding a way to fill those empty spaces can make you feel more confident. One of the most popular choices by patients and dentists alike is dental implants. They not only help with the aesthetics of your grin but also with your health!
Nearly anyone with missing teeth can benefit from this tooth replacement option, but not everyone can get them right away. You have to be a good candidate first, so you can have the implants for a lifetime! Continue reading to learn three things that your dentist is looking for before considering you for the treatment.
1.) Enough Jawbone Density
Your natural teeth stimulate your jaw every time you bite and chew. The pressure gets sent to your jawbone, and it tells your body that you are still actively using it. When you experience tooth loss, the stimulation stops. Your body starts to reabsorb minerals from those places in your jawbone to use them elsewhere. Over time, the bone loss can make it risky to place dental implants in those spots.
A strong jawbone is needed to support the tooth replacement so it can fuse effectively and create a stable foundation. The good news is that even if you don’t have ample jawbone density right now, your dentist may be able to help you out with a bone graft! This procedure uses bone tissue from another place in your body, a donor, or synthetic materials, and places it in areas that need it. Your body will take it and rebuild your jawbone! This preliminary treatment can give you greater chances for successful dental implants.
2.) Good General Health
Another aspect of your health that is important is the maintenance of chronic conditions. For instance, if you have diabetes, it can affect how well you heal if it is unmanaged. You are more at risk of gum disease, which can cause tooth and bone loss when left untreated! Thankfully, you can still get dental implants even with conditions like these, but be diligent about making sure they are well-maintained! Doing so will help the treatment go smoothly.
3.) Have a Healthy Lifestyle
You want to have a proper oral hygiene routine! The best way to keep this tooth replacement healthy is with routine brushing and flossing. By doing this, you effectively clean out bacteria that can attack the implant site. You can rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to ensure that you keep your mouth pristine.
Not only that, but you want to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. Regular use can lead to bone loss or slow down the healing process, which causes an unstable implant.
If you want to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you would want to get their benefits for decades to come! Even if you aren’t a candidate right away, your dentist is here to help create a treatment plan that will get you much closer to your goal. In the end of it all, you can have a full smile that lasts a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. George Philip earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. He has been helping people in the Sunnyvale community for nearly two decades and enjoys every part of it. Dr. Philip wants you to have a full grin that you are proud of, so he works with highly trained local dental implant specialists. You can rest assured knowing that you are getting the best care that you deserve!
If you are looking to fill gaps in your teeth, schedule an appointment or call us at (972) 285-6144.