Dental implants are one of the options that you get to explore if you are looking to replace missing teeth. These are metal rods or screws placed in the jaw to replace teeth roots, and implants are fitted with restorations like bridges, dentures, and crowns to replace teeth.
The ideal candidate for dental implants is healthy enough to recover from minor oral surgery. Their jawbone should also be thick enough to hold implants in place.
Many patients are thinking about getting dental implants. Let us take a look at a few of the things that a dentist goes over when evaluating a patient’s eligibility.
Implants are used to replace missing teeth, so the ideal candidate for implants has one or more missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth or combined with restorations like dentures to replace an entire dental arch. For patients who need to save on costs, dentists often recommend combining implants with restorations used to replace multiple teeth.
Implants are usually not recommended for children or teenagers who have lost one or more of their teeth. Their jawbones are still developing at this point, so they are better off exploring other options like dentures and bridges. The jawbone typically stops growing around the age of 20. Adults can get implants at any point in life, though, and dentists often recommend them for missing teeth because they preserve bone tissues in the jaw.
The ideal candidate for dental implants has decent health. They are healthy enough to recover from surgical procedures and are free of chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that can hinder the recovery process.
Having a health issue like diabetes does not automatically disqualify a patient from getting implants, however. They simply need to be evaluated individually to determine if it is safe to proceed with this process.
Patients are also screened for dental issues that can increase the risk of complications, like gum disease. Such issues are typically treated before proceeding with the installation of implants.
Drinking or using tobacco products regularly slows down the healing process, which increases the risk of complications developing after implants have been placed. Dentists typically talk to their patients about such habits during the evaluation period. Patients need to be willing to give up these habits during the recovery period to reduce their risk of complications.
To qualify for implants, patients need to have enough bone tissues in their jaw to hold implants in place. Not having the needed bone density is not an automatic dealbreaker, though, because bone grafts can be used to thicken a patient's jawbone.
However, bone grafts do increase the length of the process. The patient needs to be healed from the graft before being cleared for implants, which can take up to three months.
Do you need to replace one or more missing teeth? Call or visit our Houston clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist to explore treatment options.
Request an appointment here: https://www.houstonpersonaldentist.com or call Jeff Tollett, DDS at (713) 481-3045 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in Houston, TX.
Before the invention of dental implants, the only options available to replace a lost tooth were dentures or bridges. Today, dental implants offer a solution that looks and feels like a natural tooth. They are attractive and comfortable, and they provide many advantages.If you are considering replacing a lost tooth with an implant, there are…
A general dentist can use a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. It can also be a solution to a failing tooth. This dental restoration is the most secure form of dental replacement. If you want to know more about replacing a lost tooth with a single dental implant, here are the details.One missing…
Dental Implants are a popular teeth replacement solution that involves placing a titanium post in the jawbone to serve as the support system for a replacement tooth. Understanding more about dental implants and how they can restore the appearance, health and functionality of your smile can help you decide if treatment is for you. General dentists…
While mouth guards are something that you can purchase for yourself for use in sports or other activities, higher quality or customized options are occasionally recommended by your dentist for use in preventative care against tooth damage. There are a few different types of mouth guards that a dentist may suggest you use if you…
While mouth guards are something that you can purchase for yourself for use in sports or other activities, higher quality or customized options are occasionally recommended by your dentist for use in preventative care against tooth damage. There are a few different types of mouth guards that a dentist may suggest you use if you…
Clear BracesClear braces are a subtler version of traditional metal braces that allow you to straighten teeth without dealing with the poor aesthetics of metal braces. Instead of metal brackets, clear braces come with tooth-colored brackets that are barely noticeable in your mouth. Instead of metal wires to connect the brackets, clear braces come with…