Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

It’s no surprise that dental implants appeal to patients. When compared to tooth replacement alternatives like bridges or dentures, dental implants have a number of advantages. They look, feel and function like natural teeth, and they require minimal adjustments to patients’ oral hygiene routines and overall lifestyles.

An implant dentist can place the devices in an outpatient procedure that takes just a few hours. However, before that surgery can take place, patients must meet the necessary conditions for a successful dental implant placement.

Dental implants are so effective because they are made of titanium that fuses with the jaw. Therefore, patients must have enough bone material to facilitate that osseointegration.

The jawbone erodes after a tooth is lost or extracted and there’s no longer a root to serve as an anchor. So, if patients wait for a lengthy period of time before pursuing dental implants, this atrophy may present a problem.

The jawbone is also naturally thinner in some areas of the mouth, particularly toward the rear of the upper jaw, which can also limit the available bone material.

If the patient has minimal bone, the implant’s bond with the jaw will not be as sturdy, and the dental implant may ultimately fail.

Fortunately, implant dentists have developed strategies to overcome this obstacle when it arises. In some cases, an adjustment to the placement technique may suffice. For example, a complete denture can be held in place by a small number of dental implants located toward the front of the jaw, if the bone in the back has eroded.

Other dental implant candidates may face more extensive surgery. If the patient has insufficient remaining jawbone material at the implant site, a bone graft or sinus augmentation can be used to provide supplemental bone.

If a bone graft is necessary prior to dental implant placement, patients should be prepared for a lengthier treatment timeline. The jaw must heal completely from the bone graft before the implant procedure can take place.

Ultimately, almost any patient who wants to get dental implants should be able to qualify for them eventually, although it may mean undergoing a preliminary surgery. Talk to our experienced team at Dental Solutions serving Dallas TX about any concerns that you have about the process. Call 214-521-5900 to schedule your consultation.