Are You An Ideal Candidate For Dental Implants?

The ideal candidate for dental implants are patients with overall good general health and oral care. For the implant to be successful, adequate bone in your jaw is needed for the support of the implant. The best candidates are those with healthy gum tissues and little to no periodontal disease. The benefits of dental implants for patients is not just about leaving with a great smile, but being able to eat  foods you've missed out on and an overall better quality of life!

An implant procedure is a team effort between your dentist and oral surgeon. The two will work together to determine how the implant should be placed and what type of implant should be used depending on the patients specific condition. Listed below are examples of what implant procedure(s) may be needed. 

• Replacing A Single Tooth - One implant and a crown.
• Replacing Several Teeth - Implant supported bridges will be the best option for several teeth missing.
• Replacing All Teeth - Implanted supported full bridge or denture replacements are the best options for this specific condition. 
• Sinus Augmentation - The key to a successful implant is both the quantity and quality of the bone, and where the implant is placed. The upper back jaw has been known to be a difficult area for dental implants to be successful, because the quantity and quality of the bone is not as sufficient and the close proximity to the sinus cavities. Sinus augmentation can correct this issue, by raising the sinus floor and developing more bone through bone grafting for the placement of the implant. 
• Ridge Modification - Deformities in the upper or lower jaw can leave you with less bone, leading to difficulties with dental implants. To reverse this issue, the gum is lifted and the bone defect area is exposed. The defect is then filled with bone grafting material to help build up the ridge. These modifications have been shown to improve the appearance and increase your chances of successful dental implants. 

After getting your new implants, remember that good oral health care is continually required and like your own teeth they still need the same care. Make sure to follow up with your oral surgeon after the implant(s) are placed and continue visits to your dentist for routine cleanings.