Losing one or more of your adult teeth can have a detrimental effect on your daily quality of life. It’s harder to speak clearly, thoroughly chew food, or smile authentically. Plus, it can impact your dental health because your remaining pearly whites might shift out of alignment to fill in the gaps.
Fortunately, your dentist can rebuild your grin with dental implants. Of all the replacement options, these are the only ones that are surgically placed into your jawbone to function as sturdy, standalone structures. Before you can move forward, however, you must have a consultation with your dentist to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Continue reading to learn 3 characteristics that can lead to successful dental implants!
Attribute #1: Dedication to Dental Hygiene
At your consultation appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth to ensure there are no areas of concern that could interfere with your dental implants. For example, gum disease can cause your them to fail because it’s overly exposed if your gumline recedes. Tooth decay can also put your prosthetics at risk because if it spreads, it can eventually weaken your jawbone.
These issues can thankfully be prevented with a consistent daily dental hygiene routine. Your dentist can help you fill cavities and treat gum disease, but you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re capable of caring for your dental implants in the long run. This ensures that your mouth and your restoration will be kept clean and healthy after the procedure.
Attribute #2: Good General Health
Dental implants are so resilient because they’re anchored in place with a titanium pole that’s inserted into your jawbone. Like any surgery, there’s a certain level of risk involved. That means your dentist must ensure that your body is healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
During your conversation with your provider, they’ll gather information about your medical history and any medications that you’re taking. That way, they understand your overall health and whether it’s safe for you to be treated. If you have certain conditions like heart problems or diabetes, you might have to wait until a later date for surgery because they interfere with your body’s ability to heal.
Attribute #3: Sufficient Jawbone Density
Did you know that you lose up to 25% of your jawbone density after you lose an adult tooth? The roots of your teeth stimulate your jaw to create new bone growth every time you bite down or chew, which keeps it active and healthy. When one is missing, your body reabsorbs bone mass that’s no longer necessary to support it.
If your dentist finds that your jawbone is too thin to support replacement teeth, don’t lose hope! Many times, a bone graft can bulk it up enough so that you can proceed.
The best way to find out whether you’re a viable candidate for dental implants is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. Contact them today, and soon you can start your journey toward restoring your smile!
About the Practice
Patients at Kemper Meadow Family Dentistry benefit from two dentists who offer a wide array of services under one roof, including dental implants. They are experienced in treating patients of all ages and take the time to get to know you and your unique oral care needs. Then, they combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to offer fully individualized plans to meet them. With specialized training in cosmetic and restorative services, they can enhance your daily life by improving the condition of your grin. To schedule a consultation, you can contact the office on the website or by calling (513) 648-9900.