Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’re missing a tooth, it’s time to talk dental solutions. The longer your smile holds that space, the more problems will crop up. Those missing teeth for some time may even have forgotten the confidence and smile satisfaction they once held. Get your mouth back in fighting shape!

Deciding to replace teeth is one thing, but choosing a restorative path is another entirely. Which route will you take? In this blog post, we detail the process of dental implant placement to help you decide whether it’s right for you. While there are certain requirements for implant patients, there are ways to prepare your mouth to get it to the right state of health for surgery. Barton Family Dentistry can help you reach that place.

Must-Haves for Dental Implant Placement

Prior to implant placement, you will need to meet with a dentist for a consultation. During this appointment, x-rays will be taken and your mouth will be examined. This will reveal clues as to how ready your jaws are for dental implants. The major factors that determine candidacy are:

• Bone density – Implants are placed in the jaw bone, where they connect to your natural bone tissue. In order for this integration to be a success, you need to have adequate bone mass at the placement site. If your tooth has been missing for some time, then it’s possible that the jaw bone has resorbed, and lost some of its structure. A CT scan will help determine if your bone density is adequate for implant placement.
• Gum tissues – During the implant healing process, it becomes a part of your mouth. But you’ll need to have enough gum tissue in the area for the healing period to be a success. If you’ve had periodontal disease, it’s possible that your gum line has receded and that there’s not enough soft tissue to support an implant and restoration.
• Oral health – After your implant is placed, your mouth will take some time to heal. During this period, it’s vital to do whatever you can to avoid infection. If you have cavities, plaque buildup, gingivitis, or periodontal disease, the surgical site will be at risk.
• Overall health – Implant placement is a surgical procedure, and can be complicated by other health problems. You will need to be healthy enough to ensure a successful surgery and healing process.

Preparing Yourself for Tooth Implants

The following treatments will help get you to a healthy place and prepare you for implant placement:

• Bone graft – Placing a bone graft at the treatment site will augment the jaw’s structure and make osseointegration possible. Bone grafts allow many patients who have been missing teeth for years to successfully receive implants.
• Gum graft – If you’re lacking gum tissue in the treatment area, a soft tissue graft will help rebuild the region. A small piece of tissue will be taken from elsewhere in the mouth (usually the roof of the mouth), and grafted onto the treatment site.
• Periodontal treatment – Periodontal disease should never be ignored, but it’s especially important that you address it before implant surgery. With scaling and root planing and antibiotic treatment, you will see healthier, happier gums and a disease-free mouth. Treating periodontal disease as soon as possible will prevent larger-scale dental problems and a changed smile.

How a Dalton Restorative Dentist Can Help

Dr. Barton and our staff are ready to guide you on your journey toward dental implants. If you’d like to arrange a consultation, just get in touch with our office.

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