You’re really interested in getting dental implants, but you’re not quite sure if you’d make a good candidate. That’s a fair concern to have – while there isn’t an age-limit for this modern treatment, certain oral health situations can make receiving them more complicated. Fortunately, your dentist can likely help you qualify with preliminary procedures! Keep reading to learn more about three issues that can interfere with implant placement.
1. Gum Disease
The problem with gum disease is that it can cause your gums to recede. Dental implants (and natural teeth) rely on this pink oral tissue to stay in place. So, if you have an active case of gum disease going into a dental implant treatment, odds are your restoration will become loose or fall out.
Fortunately, gum disease is curable! Depending on the severity of your case, you may only need to increase your oral hygiene efforts – or you might need more involved periodontal therapy.
2. Not Enough Jawbone Mass
Your gums aren’t the only thing that supports your smile. Natural teeth are anchored to your jawbone via dental root, and dental implants mimic this design with titanium posts. Obviously, a titanium post is a bit larger than a dental root! If your jawbone doesn’t have a certain amount of mass, the implant won’t properly fuse with your jawbone, and you could lose your restoration – or even damage the bone.
There are ways around this issue, though. Patients with a thinner jawbone can talk to their dentist about mini dental implants, all-on-4s, or bone grafting. Each of these solutions is specifically designed to compensate for low bone mass.
3. Regular Tobacco Usage
The chemicals in tobacco products can cause all kinds of problems for your mouth. They slow the body’s natural process, increase your risk of developing infection, and are strongly linked to cavities and gum disease. Quitting smoking is difficult, but tobacco will make it much more difficult to have a smooth and successful dental implant treatment.
If you’re not sure whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants, talk to your dentist. They’ll thoroughly examine your oral health during a consultation and let you know whether you need preliminary treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Brian Lavery has over 40 years of experience in the field of dentistry and has placed hundreds of dental implants. He’s well-qualified to assess your oral health for potential treatment complications, and if you require preliminary procedures, can provide prompt and comprehensive service. To get started with your dental implant journey today, contact Dr. Lavery’s office at 609-588-5600.