Most people in Westfield, New Jersey, know that dental implants can be a great way to replace missing teeth. But for them to work, they need to have the right patient. Dental implants are extraordinarily successful when used in cases where extensive tooth loss has occurred, and there’s still enough bone left for the placement of an implant. The problem is that in cases where a patient has many crowns and bridges, there may not be enough bone to place any implants. Your target needs to be in finding the best Westfield implants specialist. They can tell if the procedure suits you. So, who is the ideal candidate for dental implants?
Gums and Teeth Should be in Good Health
The first step is to ensure the gums and teeth are in good health. If there’s a lot of ongoing decay, gum disease, or wear and tear on crowns and bridges, it doesn’t matter if you have enough bone because implants won’t work. The ideal candidate for dental implants has healthy gums and teeth.
Bone Must be Healthy
The following requirement for a dental implant candidate is healthy bone. This isn’t a requirement of all replacement options—the less bone left, the more likely bridges and dentures will fit well and function smoothly. On the other hand, implants must have enough bone to support a titanium implant.
And since implants make up for the loss of natural teeth, they need to be placed in the same spot as the original tooth. If there’s not enough bone or it can’t support an implant, you won’t get the same results you would from dental implants placed where healthy and strong bone still exists.
Having Good Bone Density to Offer Enough Support
To determine the amount of bone needed, your dentist will need to X-ray and examine you. The images and checkup will give them a good idea of how much supporting bone is present and whether it would be strong enough to support an implant. In most cases where crowns have been used, the bone is structurally sound enough for an implant. But if there’s not enough bone density to support implants, you may be able to use dental bridges or dentures instead.
Oral Hygiene Regimen
Finally, you should have a good oral hygiene routine, one that includes brushing and flossing every day. If you don’t maintain healthy gums and teeth, then placing implants won’t improve your health or the health of the missing tooth area. The best candidates for dental implants are those who want to improve their overall health and oral wellness and can commit to proper brushing and flossing.
Being a Non-Smoker
You should also be a non-smoker, as smoking can hinder bone growth and make it much harder to keep implants healthy. If you’re a smoker, it may be a good idea to switch before getting an implant, or you should wait until you’re done smoking for at least three months before going through with the procedure.
Dental implants are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth, but they aren’t always right. The ideal candidate is someone who has healthy gums and teeth, good bone density to offer enough support, non-smoker status (or smoking cessation), as well as an oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing every day. Dental implants may be your best bet if you have all of these qualities or can commit to them with little difficulty.
