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Are Dental Implants Right for You?

If you’ve lost a tooth due to accident or due to advanced periodontal disease, you may have been considering getting a dental implant and are wondering if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

Read below to learn who is – and isn’t – a good candidate when it comes to getting one or more dental implants.

Dental implants are artificial teeth that are placed in your jaw. They are designed to hold one or more a replacement/prosthetic teeth. These prosthetics look exactly like natural teeth; even better than natural teeth.

An x-ray of teeth with three implant screws. Prosthetic teeth will be placed on the screws/implants

Most people are good candidates for dental implants. You should have healthy gums (your dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon will examine your teeth, gum and jaw to see that you are). You also need to have enough bones in your jaw so that the implants can be well-anchored.

You also should be highly committed to taking care of your implants and the gum tissue surrounding them. This entails brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day and visiting your dentist regularly for follow-up appointments.

Those who probably aren’t good dental implant candidates tend to be those who:

Are heavy smokers. Smoking restricts blood vessels, which hinders healing. Heavy smokers have a lower chance of having an implant “take” successfully.
Are pregnant.
Are young (jawbones are still growing). Many dentists believe boys shouldn’t get implants until they are at least 17 years old; girls may be able to get implants as young as 14 or 15. Your dentist will examine the young person to ascertain if jawbone growth has reached maximum.
Abusers of alcohol or other substances, particularly if they aren’t ready to follow the dentist’s instructions to the letter. Such instructions could include no smoking and returning regularly for follow-up appointments.
People who take some types of medications, particularly those that suppress the body’s immune system.
Those who have undergone high-dosage radiation treatments to their head or neck.
Individuals who have a chronic disease or systemic problems such as hemophilia, immune deficiencies, connective-tissue disease, or uncontrolled diabetes. Individuals with these conditions still may be able to get dental implants depending on the severity of the condition.
People who clench their teeth severely because doing so can put too much pressure on the dental implants, increasing the risk of failure.

If you’re interested in seeing if you’re a good candidate for one or more dental implants, speak with your dentist. If he or she doesn’t perform this procedure, your dentist will be able to refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist who can evaluate you.

Image by Partynia (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons