25 Jun Am I Suitable for a Dental Implant?

A dental implant can be a really wonderful treatment option for the right candidate. In fact, statistics show that for the right people, success rate of dental implants is at 95 percent. Several factors can influence one’s suitability to get a dental implant.

Some of the key factors include:

• Presence of gum disease
• Overall health of the patient
• Inadequate bone in the area
• Bite complications
• Medications taken for a long time
• Medications that cause bleeding like blood thinners

While not all the conditions mentioned above will prevent one from getting a dental implant, some will most likely delay the procedure. For instance, people who have inadequate bone left will have to undergo bone graft before receiving dental implants. In the same manner, those who have gum disease will be required to get treatment first before the procedure.

If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, here are other dental implant basics you need to know:

Dental implants are not that expensive. While it costs more than other procedures, they also last much longer. Bridges, which are just as popular, often only last 7 to 15 years. In most cases, they need to be replaced after. Dental implants on the other hand won’t need to be replaced as often.

The procedure is not painful. While some patients can experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, most will only need local anaesthesia to get through the procedure. Those who experience severe anxiety or fear might need to be sedated.

Dental implants look just like natural teeth. Many patients are surprised to see how real their dental implants look. In fact, they look so much like the natural teeth that people won’t have any idea they are dental implants until you tell them.

Recovery time for dental implants is not that long. Without doubt, this is one common misconception many people have about dental implants. Generally, recovery period for the procedure will take around 2 to 6 months. However, for those who have lived with unhealthy teeth or an unattractive smile for some time, this is not too long.

Caring for dental implants is easy. It is reassuring to know that once the dental implants are in, they are very easy to take care of. In fact, all that is needed is to look after them like you would look after your natural teeth. That means you need to brush and floss properly and routinely.

The amazing thing about having dental implants is you won’t have to worry about getting cavities or tooth decay. If you already have great dental hygiene habits, you’d be delighted to know you won’t have to do anything extra to care for your dental implants.

Many people are good candidates for dental implants. The notion that only a select few are ideal candidates for dental implants is another misconception that’s been going around for many years now.

In the United States alone, an estimated 70 percent of Americans between the age of 35 and 44 have one or more missing teeth. Almost a quarter of Americans over the age of 74 are also missing many of their teeth. In other words, contrary to popular belief, a lot of people are actually good candidates for dental implants.