If you have lost teeth, you might have issues performing oral functions and feel self-conscious about gaps in your smile. But if you have missing teeth, you could be at risk of further oral health problems. Your dentist can both preserve your smile and enhance its look and structure with dental implants.
This tooth replacement treatment will restore your smile for long-lasting advantages. However, not every patient will benefit from this procedure. Read on to learn three characteristics of eligible patients for tooth replacement using dental implants.
What Makes an Ideal Implant Dentistry Candidate?
Requires Permanent Tooth Replacement
If you have missing teeth, your dentist can offer a variety of restorative dental treatments to replace them. Some patients may want a removable oral appliance to replace missing teeth.
Dentures can improve oral function and enhance the look of your smile. Patients can also take them out of their mouths when not in use, which may make them feel comfortable.
Dental implants are fixed tooth replacements, meaning that they can only be removed from the mouth by a dentist. Whether you hope to replace one, several, or an entire arch of missing teeth, your dentist can find a type of implant that will suit your unique needs.
Many patients appreciate long-lasting fixtures, as they do not have to worry about replacing worn appliances if they wear down. Therefore, if you want to undergo implant dentistry, you must understand that this treatment can last a lifetime.
Strong and Stable Jawbone Structure
Dental implants use a titanium post anchor to support the prosthetic teeth. A dentist must surgically place the anchor into the jaw. This means that the patient’s jawbone must have enough stability to sustain the anchor.
One of the side effects of tooth loss is the deterioration of the jawbone. This is because the jaw requires stimulation from a tooth root to keep it strong.
The anchor of an implant can replace the absent tooth root and preserve the jawbone. But if too much is already gone, the jaw may not be able to successfully receive the implant.
If this is the case, your dentist may suggest a bone graft to build more structure in the jaw that will ultimately support a dental implant. Your dentist can evaluate your jawbone using X-ray imaging taken during a dental consultation.
Exhibits Patience and Commitment to the Implant Process
Patients who hope to restore their smile with dental implants should understand that they will not see instant results. This treatment involves a multi-step process that will require three or more sessions with their dentist spanning several months.
They will begin with an oral health evaluation. Then they will have the surgery to receive the anchors, which can take three months to heal and fuse into the jawbone. The process ends with a dentist securing permanent prosthetics into place.
Though it may take time to achieve their goals, dental implants can offer a lifetime of benefits. Patients should exhibit patience and focus on the big picture during this treatment.