Though bridges and dentures let patients enjoy a more varied diet and speak more clearly than they could without them, dental implants are widely considered to be the best tooth replacement option. They are the next best thing to your natural teeth and, with proper care, they can even last a lifetime. So that you can get a better idea of whether dental implants are the right option for you, read on to learn about five qualities that a good implant candidate should have.
#1: Excellent Oral Hygiene
Just because dental implants can’t get cavities doesn’t mean that you no longer have to keep up good oral health. If you don’t brush and floss every day, this can lead to gum disease or cavities, which can cause additional tooth loss and may eventually lead to implant failure. To avoid this, brush twice per day for two minutes each time. Use fluoride toothpaste to make your teeth strong and a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent enamel damage. Floss before bed to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth.
#2: Healthy Gums
Dental implants are inserted through the gums, so yours must be healthy before proceeding with surgery. If you have gum disease, it will need to be treated by your dentist. Methods they may use to cure the infection include scaling and root planing or antibiotic therapy.
#3: A Healthy Jawbone
The reason why dental implants are so stable is because they are inserted directly into the jawbone. It takes four to six months post-op for them to fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration. For this reason, it’s important that your jawbone is healthy and strong. If it isn’t dense enough to support dental implants, your dentist may recommend a bone graft.
#4: Good Lifestyle Choices
Smoking cigarettes steeply raises your chances of implant failure and makes it more difficult for your body to heal after the procedure. Both smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol lead to dry mouth, which makes you more likely to develop gum disease. Additionally, eating too much sugar may lead to cavities and additional tooth loss. These bad habits should be eliminated to ensure the success of your implant procedure.
#5: Great Overall Health
Several medical conditions can impact the dental implant procedure and vice versa. If someone has heart disease, this will make anesthesia less effective, which can make it uncomfortable or impossible to undergo the implant procedure. Additionally, diabetes makes patients prone to infections like gum disease and less effective at fighting them off. It also impedes osseointegration, which can cause implant failure. Let your dentist know if you have a serious medical condition so they can plan accordingly
If you think you might be a good dental implant candidate, set up a consultation with your dentist so they can help you determine if you’re a good fit. Soon, you’ll have a full, healthy, and gorgeous smile that you love!
About the Practice
In need of a talented dental team that can fill in the gaps in your smile that were left behind as the result of tooth loss? Led by Dr. Herbert Hudson, Olmsted Village Dental Care offers durable, lifelike dental implants that may be just what you’re looking for. They will refer you to a local specialist for implant placement to ensure that your smile looks and functions as well as possible. Visit Olmsted Village Dental Care’s website or call their office at (910) 295-2750 to learn if you’re a good dental implant candidate or to schedule an appointment.