Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’re missing a tooth, or if a dentist recommends removing a tooth due to such factors as major dental decay, you could potentially replace your missing tooth with a dental implant. However, not all patients are candidates for this treatment option.

Only a professional can tell you for certain whether you’re a candidate for dental implants. The best way to learn more about this topic is to discuss it with your dentist. In the meantime, though, the following guide may help you better understand if dental implants could be right for you.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a replacement tooth typically consisting of the following three main components:

• An implant which is a titanium alloy screw.
• An abutment or snap-on
• A crown(s) or denture

The treatment process involves the following steps:

• An initial consultation to determine if an implant will address a patient’s needs properly
• Insertion of the implant into a patient’s jawbone either sugically or the use of a surgical guide and depending on the circumstance immediate placement of a Hybrid denture or snap-ons for an existing denture, final Fix on Six, temporary All-on-X or a temporary crown
• Waiting for the implant to fuse with the jawbone, a process which in most cases takes only three months
• Taking an impression or scan of the implant
• Within a couple of weeks, placement of the final crown or All-on-X

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

A dental implant isn’t necessarily the only option available to a patient who wishes to replace a missing tooth. That said, many patients choose implants because of the various benefits they offer. Examples include:

• Appearance: A quality dental implant should resemble the appearance of a patient’s natural teeth.

• Functionality: Dental implants don’t just look like real teeth—they function as real teeth also.

• Durability: According to a study available through the National Institutes of Health, with proper care, it’s not uncommon for dental implants to remain in good condition for decades.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Various factors can influence whether a patient is a candidate for dental implant treatment. Such factors include:

• Jawbone size: A patient might not be a candidate for dental implants if their jawbone isn’t large enough to support an implant. However, in cases where a patient’s jawbone lacks sufficient size, a patient may undergo bone grafting, a procedure which involves adding additional bone .

• Health: Various health issues, can interfere with the healing process when a patient receives a dental implant. Patients with these health issues may be better off replacing their missing teeth with other options.

• Age: A dentist might account for a patient’s age when deciding if they are healthy enough for this treatment method. An older patient may experience a better outcome with dentures or a dental bridge. A younger patient who is not fully grown should not have implants until they are fully grown otherwise the implant placement may be improperly positioned once the patient’s jaw has fully grown.  Until fully grown, a good option may be a Maryland Bridge.

A patient’s own degree of commitment can also play a role in determining whether they’re a candidate for implants. Because the process of receiving an implant takes several months, a patient must be honestly willing to see their treatment through. In addition, they must be willing to properly care for their implant after receiving it.

Learn More About Dental Implants in Wayne, NJ

At Fine Dental Care, serving patients in and around Wayne, NJ, our team would be happy to help determine if implants are right for you. Contact us online today or call us at 973-633-5440 to request an appointment.