Missing teeth can have many negative effects on your life. Eating and speaking becomes more difficult, you will experience jawbone shrinkage over time, and it could cause your confidence to plummet. Fortunately, there are many different options out there with the purpose of replacing your missing teeth, like dental implants. Continue reading to learn what qualities make someone a good dental implant candidate.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
If you don’t take care of your mouth now, who’s to say that you will after you get dental implants. The success of implants depends on how well you keep up with your oral hygiene. Maintenance of your dental implants is similar to that of taking care of your normal teeth. If you don’t have healthy gums or surrounding teeth, it is less likely that your implant will stay put.
Have a Sufficient Jawbone
Implants are placed directly into the jawbone that will support them. They will fuse together in a process known as osseointegration. However, missing teeth causes the jawbone to weaken and shrink over time, which makes it less likely to be able to support the implant. If this is the case, this tooth replacement option may not be right for you.
Have Healthy Gums
Implants are especially vulnerable to gum inflammation. If plaque builds up and causes an infection, or gingivitis, the gum could detach from the implant and create a pocket that harbors bacteria. If gum disease progresses, it can attach the jawbone that supports the implant, causing them to fail.
Make Good Lifestyle Choices
Drinking alcohol can interfere with the healing process and put your implants at risk. This is because alcohol causes dry mouth and inhibits the clotting of blood. Heavy drinking over time can also contribute to bone loss which makes implants difficult to place with a higher chance of failing. Smoking also slows the healing process and puts you at higher risk for gum disease. If you do smoke, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to get implants, but it is especially important to refrain from smoking directly before and for several months after the placement surgery.
Don’t Have Chronic Disease
Dental implants are best suited for individuals who are healthy overall. Chronic illnesses like diabetes can interfere with the process of fusion between the implant and jawbone. It also slows the healing process and contributes to gum disease. The combination of these factors increases the risk of a dental implant failure. Other chronic conditions, like heart disease and sleep apnea, can create complications during the surgery. This is because these issues can interfere with anesthesia and make the surgery much higher risk. All chronic issues should be addressed with your dentist while considering your tooth replacement options.
If these five characteristics describe you, chances are that you would be a great candidate for dental implants in Houston. You’ll have a new found confidence and the functionality of a full smile in no time!
About the Author
At Tamborello Dental Associates in Houston, TX, Dr. Holly Boone and her team provide a wide variety of services, including dental implants. Dr. Boone earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She holds fellowship status in the International Dental Implant Association and is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit her website or call (713) 522-7540.