Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are durable, attractive replacements for missing or damaged teeth. If you have a problem with your teeth, like breakage, decay, or tooth loss, you may be curious about whether dental implants are your best choice to replace them.

Fortunately, most healthy patients are good candidates for the dental implant procedure. FInd out who is and is not a candidate for the procedure and how patients can increase their chance of implant success.

Good Candidates for Dental Implants

• Healthy enough for a surgical procedure: Patients must be generally healthy to undergo the implant surgery.
• Sufficient jawbone mass to support an implant post: Patients whose jawbones have atrophied due to missing teeth may need a bone graft procedure before receiving dental implants. Usually, bone grafts take four to six months to heal enough to place an implant post.
• Healthy gums:  Positive gum health allows implants to attach successfully. Unhealthy gums could lead to complications or implant rejection.
• Ability to care for dental implants like natural teeth: Patients who have trouble caring for their teeth or regularly forget to brush and floss may not be ideal candidates.
• Willingness to make regular dental visits to check the health of implants:  Regular checkups may be necessary to ensure the health of dental implants and detect potential issues before they can become severe.

Possible Contraindications for Dental Implants

Patients with illnesses like cancer and uncontrolled diabetes may not be able to receive dental implants. These conditions impede natural healing and may make jaw bone integration difficult. Controlling these conditions may make it possible to receive implants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

How does a bone graft work?

During bone graft surgery, the oral surgeon places a natural or artificial bone material in an opening in the jawbone. They cover the area with a dissolvable membrane to keep the material in place. The graft provides a scaffold-like structure for the bone to grow around. The bone will grow enough to place an implant post in four to six months.

Why do I need healthy gums to support dental implants?

If you have poor oral hygiene, your gum health may suffer; healthy gums hold the replacement teeth in place. Gum disease can cause implants to fail. If an implant fails, you will lose your investment in your implants and oral health.

If you lack healthy gum tissue, you may be a candidate for gum or soft tissue grafting to fix the problem. As long as you maintain your gums, you should be able to achieve implant success.

Call Braasch Oral Surgery

If you want to know whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, please call our Bedford, NH office at 603-657-1984. We can schedule a consultation with Dr. Braasch to explain your options and help you understand the implant process.