Let’s find out if you are a good candidate for a dental implant!

If you have a missing tooth or teeth and your dentist has recommended a dental implant, you may be wondering if you are a good candidate. Before we jump into our check list of what makes a patient a great candidate, please remember your dentist is the right person to ask about your health and what option you have for tooth replacement that work for you.

Generally speaking a good candidate should have the following:

• Healthy gums
• Enough bone to anchor the implants in the jaw — Some people who have lost bone in their jaw still can get implants, but first the bone must be rebuilt using special procedures.
• Good oral health, aside from the missing tooth, or teeth, that is being treated, good dental implant candidates have an otherwise healthy and well cared for mouth.
• A commitment to taking very good care of the implanted teeth and surrounding gums — Daily brushing and flossing are essential. Regular visits to the dentist for follow-up are also important.
• Patience. Aside from the various oral health factors that make up a good dental implant candidate, another important intangible is patience – specifically, if the patient being treated exhibits the trait. That’s because the mouth can take a long time to heal after the procedures, sometimes as long as 6 months. In fact, the entire process itself may take anywhere from 4 months to a year to fully complete. This is because implants can only be placed after the site where the bone was grafted has fully healed. What’s more is that following placement of the implant, it can take an additional 6 months for the mouth to heal before crowns can be placed. As you can see, patience is important.

Dental implants replace both your missing root and tooth, providing the same level of stability as your natural teeth. This helps you maintain a your lifestyle and give you peace of mind to eat what you want without worrying about loosened dentures or temporary teeth.