Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Patients with missing teeth often forego the tooth replacement process out of fear that they will receive an unnatural looking replacement, dentures that slip and slide, or experience additional pain or discomfort. Dental implants offer many patients a safe, effective tooth replacement option that leaves them with flawless, natural looking smiles. In the past two decades, innovations in the dental implant supported tooth replacement process have made it possible for more patients than ever before to be considered good candidates for this restorative treatment. Still, there is no such thing as a one size fits all solution when it comes to dental care. Before you begin the dental implant supported tooth replacement process, we encourage you to consider some of the reasons patients may choose a different tooth replacement solution.

Oral Health Factors

Before you begin a dental implant tooth replacement plan, the most important consideration is your current state of oral health. You need to have adequate jawbone density and gum tissue volume to support a dental implant. However, a dentist can also perform bone or soft tissue grafts to add an adequate amount of supportive structure. Some of the other oral health issues that need to be addressed before beginning a dental implant tooth replacement plan include:

• Gum disease
• Orthodontic alignment issues
• Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)

Overall Health

Most patients who are healthy enough for basic medical care are healthy enough for dental implant placement. However, the dentist will need to address numerous health concerns before beginning treatment. We’ll discuss your health history and any current concerns. If you’re taking medications, we’ll need to discuss any potential side effects before recommending dental implants. Some of the other overall health concerns we look for include:

• Immune suppressing illnesses (diabetes and HIV)
• Negative past experiences during surgical care
• Bone health issues like osteoporosis

Cost and Time Commitment

Finally, there is a big cost and time commitment attached to the dental implant tooth replacement process. Before beginning this service, you should work with your dentist to create a schedule and payment plan that meets your needs and fits within your budget.

Other Tooth Replacement Options

If you decided dental implant-retained tooth replacement isn’t the right option for you, there are other effective solutions available. These include:

• Fixed bridges
• Removable full dentures
• Removable partial dentures

Meet the DeMartino Dental Group Team

If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, call the DeMartino Dental Group in Phillipsburg to schedule your tooth replacement consultation. We’ll examine your smile, review your oral and overall health history, answer your questions and help you find the best tooth replacement solution for your unique oral health needs. Come back to our blog regularly to learn more about many of the preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry solutions we provide.