Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Wausau, WI
If you have any missing teeth, don’t worry. You’re not alone. There are millions of people in the U.S. alone that experience tooth loss.
Not only do missing teeth affect the overall appearance of your smile, but they also make it very difficult to chew, which can greatly compromise your nutrition. Missing teeth have been linked to many health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Therefore, replacing missing teeth can be a great way to regain your health and smile.
This is a complete guide to dental implants, including implant materials, implant placement, benefits of implants, and who is a candidate for implants.
What Is a Dental Implant?
 A dental implant is a restorative dentistry procedure like dental bridges or dentures that is conducted to replace lost teeth and improve the aesthetics of your smile. Dental implants include the replacement of any missing teeth with a permanent implant that is often divided into two to three parts.
Base
The first part of a dental implant is its base, which is basically a titanium screw. This screw has to be placed surgically into the jawbone, and is left to be for at least 6 weeks until it bonds with the natural bone to create a stable base.
Crown
A crown is one of the main parts of a dental implant that is made out of ceramic to match the shape and color of your natural teeth. The base of your implant is topped off with the crown.
Abutment
Not all dental implants include abutments. Also known as a connector, an abutment is a piece of an implant that is connected to the part of the base that protrudes through the gums.
Benefits of Implants
| • |
Improve Aesthetics and Appearance of Your Smile
|
| • |
Improved speech
|
| • |
Better comfort
|
| • |
Improved self-esteem
|
| • |
Easier eating
|
| • |
Better oral health |
Who is a Candidate for Implants
There are a few factors that every dentist considers when assessing whether you can be a potential candidate for dental implants or not. Here are some of those factors:
General Health
To qualify for dental implants, you must have a good overall health. Since implant placement requires surgery that includes anesthesia, it is critical that you have good general health.
Gum Health
Your dentist will check your gums for any signs of gum disease. In case you have periodontal disease, your dentist will wait to conduct the dental implant procedure until your infection is completely resolved. Since the first step of a dental implant is to place the base in your jawbone, the presence of gum disease increases the chances of an infection.
Adequate Bone Density
Your jawbone needs to be strong enough to hold the base of an implant. Therefore, your dentist will check if you have adequate bone density to support your implant. In case you don’t have enough jawbone, your dentist will probably conduct a bone grafting procedure to create a sturdy jaw structure.
Oral Health
Your overall oral health plays a major role in determining whether you can qualify for dental implants or not. Those who maintain good oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting their dentist every six months generally have better dental health than those who don’t. So, your dentist might inquire about your oral hygiene practices before deeming you fit for dental implants.
If you are missing any teeth, and aren’t happy with your current smile, dental implants are a great option for you. You can call us now at (715) 848-2435 to book your appointment. |
