Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

July 14, 2022

Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing natural teeth without dentures or bridges. However, dental implants also provide you with the flexibility to use a few dental implants to support a permanent denture or bridge if you are missing all of your natural teeth.

Since dental implants naturally fuse with your jawbone, they create a secure and lifelong replacement for your missing tooth or teeth. However, how can you know if you qualify for dental implants? Here are a few requirements that can help you restore your beautiful smile with implant technology.

Have Adequate Bone Density in Your Jaw

To be a good candidate for dental implants, you need to have adequate bone density in your jaw. The reason for this is because your jawbone will support the implant, so without enough bone in the affected area, an implant may not be an option.

However, you can still qualify for dental implants by getting a bone graft [1]. A bone graft is when your dentist helps build up the bone enough to support a dental implant by introducing natural or synthetic bone in the area where your missing tooth was. Once your jaw heals and the bone has integrated with your own, you will be able to support an implant and consider dental implants as a restoration option.

Be in Good Oral Health

It’s imperative that you have good oral health to qualify for dental implants. Your smile will need to be free of tooth decay and gum disease for you to successfully have an implant procedure. However, your dentist will also take your overall health into account for the procedure as well [2].

Fortunately, even if you do have existing tooth decay or gum disease, you can typically still qualify for dental implants by correcting these underlying issues. Once your smile is healthy and your dentist confirms you have enough jawbone to support the implant, you can move forward with the dental implant procedure.

Don’t Smoke or Chew Tobacco

The best candidates for dental implants are those who don’t smoke or chew tobacco. This is because people who smoke have a higher risk for their dental implants to fail, as the chemicals in tobacco smoke and chewing tobacco can hinder the healing process [3].

If you do smoke, you may still qualify for implants, but you will need to refrain from smoking before, during, and after the procedure as much as possible while your smile heals. If you’re a current smoker and interested in quitting, ask your dentist about more resources and options to help you kick the habit for good.

Find Out If You Qualify for Dental Implants

Dental implants are a long-term commitment to your oral health. You’ll need to keep your smile healthy for the procedure and take care of your implant just like you would your natural teeth for life. Are you a good candidate for dental implants? Find out by booking a consultation with your experienced dentist today.