Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

[Brent Cornelius D.D.S.]

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’ve lost – or are definitely going to lose – one or more of your adult teeth, you may be wondering if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. After all, false teeth such as dentures have to be removed regularly from your mouth for cleaning. Many people don’t like the feeling of the “impermanence” of these types of false teeth.

A dental implant, in contrast, is an artificial tooth root that a dentist places into your jaw to support a bridge or replacement tooth. Once surgery is complete, they feel and look like real teeth.

 

Basically, there are two different types of implants: endosteal (in the bone) and subperiosteal (on the bone).

 

Subperiosteal implants are put on the top of the jaw.  The posts of the metal frameworks protrude through the gum in order to hold the false tooth. Fast, subperiosteal implants are best for patients who can’t wear conventional dentures and whose bone height is minimal.

 

Endosteal are the most common type of implants. The different types include blades, cylinders and screws that your dentist places via surgery into the jaw bone. Each of these implants holds at least one, sometimes more, prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is ideal for individuals who wear – or can wear – removable dentures and/or bridges.

 

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or even all of your teeth.

 

Can YOU Get Dental Implants?

 

An experienced implant dentist will need to examine you thoroughly to see if you’re a candidate and, if so, which type of implant would be best for you. Generally, however, if you’re health is good, your oral hygiene is good, you have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant, and if your gum tissue is healthy, you should be able to have dental implants.

 

Important note: because implants are connected with bone and gum tissue, seriously consider working with an experienced periodontist when it comes to getting dental implants. Periodontists specialize in gum and bone issues and they also have the experience to ensure your implants look and feel as real as possible.  You can work with a dentist as well as with a periodontist, or you can find a periodontist who offers dental implants.

 

As you look for an implant dentist you’ll want to be sure he or she has had a minimum of 300 or more hours of postdoctoral/continuing education in both endosteal and subperiosteal implants. He or she also should be certified in dental implants.

 

While cost probably will be a factor, beware of going with the least-expensive dental implant practitioner. Your comfort factor with the doctor should also be noted – you’re going to be spending a lot of time in his or her office and so you should feel at ease in the facility and interacting with the dentist’s team members.

If you are interested in finding out if you are a good candidate for dental implants or have any questions feel free to contact the office of Dr. Brent Cornelius at [phone] or visit our website at www.brentcornelius.com today!

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