Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 120 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth, and more than 36 million are completely toothless. One or more lost or missing teeth can pose serious consequences for how you eat and speak and compromise the strength of your whole jawbone.

At Vasona Family Dentistry of Los Gatos, California, our experienced and knowledgeable care team, led by Dr. Neda Zadeh, provides restorative dentistry services, including dental implants. Dental implants are one of the best options for patients with missing tooth problems. Could you be a candidate for this procedure? Here’s what you need to know.

Problems associated with missing teeth

Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. And, even one missing tooth can seriously impact your ability to eat and speak properly.

Missing teeth also have long-term implications for your oral health. If you have a space in your jaw your other surrounding teeth could become misaligned. An empty socket provides a place for potentially harmful bacteria to impact the health and integrity of your jawbone.

For these reasons, you don’t want to leave a gap in your grin. Instead, explore your restorative options with Dr. Zadeh, including one or more dental implants.

How dental implants can help

Dental implants aren’t the same as dentures. You can’t remove a dental implant once it’s been permanently affixed to your jaw. Once the implant process is complete, your dental implant looks and works just like a natural tooth and can last for the rest of your lifetime.

A dental implant has three parts. First, Dr. Zadeh surgically implants a titanium post in your jaw, in the location of your old tooth root. An abutment sits on top of the implant post. That’s where your permanent crown is fixed to finish off your dental implant tooth replacement.

With one or more dental implants, you can eat whatever you want and keep your digestive system healthy. Restoring your smile also boosts your self-confidence, making it easier to smile more. Care for dental implants just as you would other teeth, with regular brushing, flossing, and scheduled professional cleanings and checkups.

Could you be a good candidate?

Dental implants work so effectively because of the way they anchor your replacement tooth in your jawbone. Over time, bone tissue continues to grow around your implant post, strengthening your replacement tooth and preventing jawbone atrophy, as well.

However, dental implants don’t work for all patients. You need to have adequate jawbone tissue to support implant posts, and your gums need to be in good condition. If your jawbone has begun to deteriorate, minimally invasive bone grafts can help to add mass and get you ready for a dental implant.

If you’re not in good enough health for surgery, dental implants might not be an option for you. Conditions like diabetes that slow healing need to be taken into consideration before you pursue dental implants. To improve your outcome and healing time, quit smoking before your procedure, as smoking can delay natural healing processes.

Learn more about dental implants, and find out if you could be a good candidate by getting in touch with the implant dentistry experts at Vasona Family Dentistry. Schedule your appointment online now, or call today to book.