If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants can be a great restorative option, offering greater stability than removable prosthetics. Although you must meet certain health requirements to receive implants, in many cases, appropriate care can restore your dental wellness and your candidacy for treatment.
Dr. Matthew L. Bridges can assess your candidacy at a restorative consultation. Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center today to schedule your evaluation.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace missing tooth roots, and permanent prosthetics can then be fixed on top. You could receive one post to replace a single tooth and its root. Two or more implants can replace multiple missing teeth, and if needed, you can even receive a full implant-supported denture.
If you are considering implants, Dr. Bridges will look for four important signs to determine your candidacy for treatment.
You Have Sufficient Jawbone Structure
If you select dental implants, Dr. Bridges will refer you to a specialist for surgery and placement. Over the next several weeks, your jawbone will heal around the post(s), making them stable, permanent fixtures in your mouth. Once you have recovered, you will return to our office, where Dr. Bridges will attach your tailor-made restoration.
Although the posts are very small, it is important that you have enough healthy bone tissue to support them. If you have been missing teeth for some time, your jawbone may have started to recede, meaning the implants will not have an adequate foundation. Nonetheless, a bone graft can often restore lost tissue and implant candidacy. If you have suffered jawbone recession, Dr. Bridges can discuss this option with your oral surgeon.
You Have Good Oral Health
Untreated gum disease can also compromise your candidacy for implants. Left unchecked, oral bacteria will continue to wreak havoc on your gums, causing inflammation and soft tissue recession. Eventually, the microbes will work their way to your jawbone, as well. As the soft and hard tissue is compromised, the implant posts will loosen or come out.
Fortunately, appropriate periodontal care can often restore both your oral health and your suitability for implants.
You Have Good Physical Health
Some health conditions can affect your candidacy. For example, if you have a chronic blood disorder or a disease that could affect surgical healing, implants may not be the right choice for you. At your consultation, be ready to discuss your medical history and any medications that you are taking.
There is some concern that diabetes may affect implant candidacy. However, studies show that patients with controlled diabetes enjoy the same high rate of success as other patients.
You Are Committed to Oral Hygiene
Dental implants are an important investment in your long-term health, your oral function, and your appearance. It is vital that you protect your investment by taking good care of your dental health. Fortunately, caring for implants is as easy as caring for the rest of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and routine exams and cleanings will help guard against the oral bacteria that can compromise implant longevity.
Schedule a Consultation to Find Out If You Are a Candidate for Dental Implants
Dr. Bridges proudly partners with a skilled specialist to provide outstanding restorative services for patients in Duncan, OK, and the surrounding areas. To learn more about this treatment and to find out if it is right for you, give us a call at (580) 255-4880. You can also send us a message online.
