Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Implants have a 98% success rate and are gaining tremendous popularity worldwide. Dental implants are worth your time and expense if you need to replace a missing tooth. However, not everyone who suffers from tooth loss is a good candidate for dental implants, and you should know the criteria in advance.  

Around 156 plus million Americans are missing at least one of their teeth, and implants serve as an effective restoration. According to the latest study, over 3 million dental implants are placed annually in the US. This article will throw light on factors that determine the ideal candidate for dental implants to enlighten you. So, let’s get started.   

Criteria for Dental Implants

Generally, dental implants are well suited to people who can undergo oral surgery or a routine dental extraction without complications. However, a specific criterion indicates who is a good candidate for dental implants. The information below means to discuss it to make you understand whether implants can work for you or not. 

• The good State of Health

The implant procedure involves surgery with anesthesia; therefore, you must have a good general state of health. Good health is essential because the implants can heal appropriately once placed. Your dental health professional will take your medical history. By doing so, he will analyze whether you are good to go with the implant procedure or if any other option is more suitable. 

• Sufficient Bone Density

It would help if you had a sufficient bone density to undergo implant surgery. It’s important because only then can the implants remain intact and well protected. A strong jaw is imperative for anchoring the implants. However, suppose you do not have enough bone density. In that case, you’ll require bone grafting and plenty of other procedures before placing implants. 

• Great Oral Health.

Good dental implants last a lifetime with regular dental visits and good care. A good candidate will not have any dental problems or infections that might interrupt the implant procedure. Patients who maintain good oral hygiene can also significantly benefit after the procedure. They would use their best tactics to care for the implants after placement. 

• Non-Tobacco User

Smoking and tobacco use impact the healing process and could interfere with the implant’s success. Therefore, a good candidate for dental implants must be a non-tobacco user to reduce the risk of implant failure.  

• Habitual Teeth Grinding

A good candidate for dental implants doesn’t involve himself in things like habitual teeth grinding or clenching. These habits severely impact the success of dental implants and fail. Therefore, if you grind your teeth, ask your dental health professional beforehand. He might refer you to custom-fitted nightguards to protect your tooth replacements. 

Now, you are well aware of an ideal candidate for dental implants. Let’s also briefly discuss who is not well-suited for dental implants. 

• Patients with gum disease are not the best candidates for dental implants. They must receive treatment for their persistent gum disease before getting the implant. 
• People who smoke are at higher risk of implant failure than those who do not smoke. For this reason, the dentist may require patients to quit smoking before receiving implant treatment. 
• Patients with uncontrolled diabetes must get appropriate treatment first before considering implant surgery. 

• Patients undergoing or previously undergoing radiation therapy are not good candidates for dental implants. 
• Patients with specific medical conditions or poor health, in general, shouldn’t consider implant surgery. 
• Pregnant ladies should wait for their childbirth before receiving implant treatment. 
• Dental implants are not well-suited to youngsters whose jaws are still growing. 

Concluding Thoughts

Dental implants offer a practical tooth replacement option to replace a missing or damaged tooth. But not everyone is a suitable candidate for dental implants. The dental implant procedure is primarily invasive; therefore, you must have good oral and general health to ensure a smooth process. Schedule a meeting with your dentist to know your state of health in advance. 

Contact your Fairfield dentist, Dr. Cheng Zhu, at Freedom Family Sedation Dentistry to learn more about dental implants.

Share this Article