Who is an ideal candidate for dental implants?

Dental implants offer a whole new option for people who have lost teeth. In the past the main options to patients were dentures or bridges, with neither of which being long-lasting, comfortable or even particularly effective. Implants offer something completely different, but can anyone undergo such a procedure successfully?

Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as you might hope. While dental implants might be the perfect choice for a lot of people who have lost teeth, either through trauma, old age or tooth decay, there are a few caveats as to who can benefit.

First up, people who already have significant bone loss won’t be able to undergo such procedures. The whole point of the implant is to bond to the jaw bone, and if you don’t have enough bone in place, there’s no way that the implant will be able to fit properly.

Then there are certain lifestyle choices or illnesses that will mean the procedure won’t be as effective, and could even render you entirely unsuitable for the procedure. These include those who smoke heavily or consume excessive amount of alcohol as both of these slow down the healing process, or individuals who have gum disease or auto-immune diseases or complaints.

However, although there are a few exceptions, most people will be entirely suitable for dental implants. As long as you have sufficient bone available, and as long as you practice good oral hygiene as well, there’s no reason why your cosmetic dentist won’t consider you as a good candidate for this procedure.

So, the people who will make ideal candidates for dental implants will be those who have good dental health, who have enough quality bone for the procedure to be effective, and obviously those who have lost teeth in the first place. Anyone who wants an alternative to traditional false teeth should definitely consider dental implants as the perfect solution.

For more information on dental implants and other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as Invisalign® invisible braces, teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers, contact our Abilene, Texas cosmetic dentistry office.