Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

1. Overall Oral Health 

One of the first things Dr. Han will look for during your dental implant consultation is the current state of your oral health. 

Patients dealing with issues such as gum disease or cavities are usually not cleared for implant surgery, at least not until they get these other conditions treated.

The gums, in particular, need to be healthy because they play a huge role in helping you heal after your dental implant surgery. The gums should heal around the implant, which they cannot do if gum disease is attacking them.

2. Oral Hygiene Habits

Dental implants might not get cavities like natural teeth, but you still need to take care of them. Patients who display poor oral hygiene habits are at a higher risk of implant failure, as they can develop complications due to not caring for their teeth properly. 

After getting implants, you will need to diligently clean your mouth every day, brush twice a day, and floss daily. You particularly need to focus on the gum areas around the implant to prevent plaque and tartar buildup from affecting the artificial tooth.

3. Smoking

Smoking and using tobacco products can affect the body’s healing process, which increases the risk of developing complications after implant surgery.

Patients enter a 6-month healing period after their surgery, and tobacco may extend it tremendously.

4. Bone Density

Dental implants are inserted into the jaw bone, but if there isn’t enough mass there, an implant might not fit. Moreover, lower bone density also likely means the bone area here will be unable to heal and fuse around the implant.

Patients may still get implants if they first go through a sinus lift or bone graft procedure to restore this portion of the jaw bone.

5. Teeth Grinding 

Teeth grinding can wear down both natural teeth and dental implants. But more than just the crown, this constant pressure on your teeth may also result in damage to the metal post inserted in the jaw. 

You can protect both your natural and artificial teeth from grading by wearing a mouthguard every night.