Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?

When it comes to replacing teeth, there are more options than ever before. Dental implants are the most advanced technology in dental prosthetics, providing a natural function and appearance. If you need to have one or more teeth replaced, you may be wondering if you’re a candidate for dental implants. Learn what it takes to be eligible and more about dental implant restorations. 

What is a Dental Implant? 

A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces the natural root of a tooth. It is surgically placed in the socket where a tooth has been extracted or is missing. An implant is shaped like a screw with threads to help it fuse with the bone to form a solid bond. Once a dental implant fully integrates with the jaw bone it can provide support for a dental crown to replace a single tooth. Multiple dental implants can be placed in the jaw to support a bridge, hybrid prosthesis, or dentures. 

Criteria For Dental Implant Eligibility 

There are a few requirements to be a candidate for dental implants:

• You must have one or more teeth that are missing or too damaged to be restored. 
• You must have sufficient jaw bone structure to support a dental implant. 
• You must have good oral health. 
• You should not be a smoker or use tobacco products. 

If you do not meet all of the above criteria, you may still become eligible for dental implants after some oral treatment. 

Preparatory Procedures 

The following procedures may be done before the placement of dental implants to make you a more ideal candidate.

• Bone grafting. It is common for the jaw bone to weaken and gradually atrophy over time in the absence of a tooth. Bone grafting is a procedure that involves the placement of a prepared bone particulate on top of the patient’s existing bone to thicken it and encourage regeneration of lost bone tissue. This is a solution for patients who lack the necessary bone structure for dental implants. 
• Sinus Augmentation. A sinus augmentation, AKA a sinus lift, is a surgical procedure that increases the bone level in the upper jaw to help place dental implants. The procedure involves raising the sinus floor by adding bone and PRF membranes between the jaw and maxillary sinuses. This allows for Dr. Semidey to place implant(s) while protecting the patient’s sinus’.
• Periodontal treatment. Periodontal disease, AKA  gum disease, can be a risk factor for peri-implantitis and implant failure. Perio disease is a serious infection of the gums, and is caused by bacteria and plaque sticking to and building up around the gumline. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, early detection and treatment will drastically improve not only your oral health, but your overall health as well. You need healthy soft and hard tissue to have an implant placed. Even after you’ve treated the disease, your jawbone and soft tissues may not be strong enough to support an implant. In this situation, you may be a candidate for a bone graft and/or soft tissue graft. Once completed and given time for the graft to heal/integrate, you are likely to have a stronger option for an implant. 

Benefits of Dental Implants 

Why go to the trouble of getting or becoming eligible for dental implants? Because of the many benefits they offer, including: 

• Natural function. Dental implants work like your natural teeth, providing a secure hold that allows you to chew effectively. 
• Natural appearance. The way dental implants are anchored in your jaw makes them look like your natural teeth. 
• Improved oral health. Replacing decayed, damaged, or missing teeth with dental implants improves not only your oral health, but other bodily systems can be effected by poor oral health. 
• Preserve bone structure in the jaw. Dental implants prevent bone loss in the jaw from missing teeth. It helps keep the natural shape of your face for a more youthful appearance. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants 

What is the best age to get dental implants?

As long as you meet the necessary criteria to be eligible for dental implants, age is not a big factor. Healthy adults of all ages can get dental implants in most cases. Children should not get dental implants until their jaws are fully grown, which is typically by the age of 16-21

What is the success rate of dental implants? 

Provided that they are placed with the expertise of an oral surgeon, or other dental specialist, the success rate of dental implants is 90-95%. The success rate is higher for people who are ideal candidates and who don’t smoke. You must also continue establishing healthy oral habits with your general dentist and get regular cleanings or implant maintenance in some cases. Poor oral hygiene and health issues can put an implant at risk of failure just like a regular tooth if plaque and bacteria are not monitored. Implants are not a cure-all solution, they are an investment in your health and quality of life and therefore must be cared for like normal teeth.

Find Out if You’re a Candidate for Dental Implants

If you’re interested in getting one or more dental implants, Oral Facial Surgery of Orange Park can perform an evaluation to determine your eligibility. We can also provide any needed preparatory procedures to make sure you are ready to receive dental implants with the greatest chance of success. 

Call 904-269-5195 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.