Tooth loss can leave dental patients with gaps in their smiles and issues in performing oral functions. However, missing teeth can also put them at risk of further oral health concerns. This is why dentists highly suggest tooth replacement treatment to restore patient smiles after tooth loss.
Dental implants offer immense restorative benefits for patients with missing teeth. But not every patient will find this to be the best treatment option. Read on to discover three qualities that dentists look for when determining if dental implants are the ideal treatment for their patients.
3 Characteristics of Ideal Dental Implant Patients
Seeking Permanent Tooth Replacement
Dental implants use titanium post anchors inserted into the jawbone to support prosthetic teeth. Because the anchors fuse to the bone in the jaw, these fixtures will offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth.
Many people enjoy this feature of their implants. They do not have to worry about getting new appliances if they wear down. The devices also will not slip out of place like a removable one might.
However, some patients may prefer a removable option like dentures. They would like the freedom and comfort to take out their fixtures at their leisure. If patients pursue dental implants, they should know that this could be a lifetime commitment to this treatment.
Stable Jawbone Structure
Before you receive a crown, bridge, or denture attached to the anchor of your dental implant, the anchor must heal and fuse to the jawbone. If too much bone in the jaw has been lost because of tooth loss, the anchor cannot fuse properly.
This means that you will not be able to sustain a dental implant. Your dentist will check the health and structure of your jawbone during a consultation before pursuing this treatment. They can see signs of bone loss using x-ray imaging.
Your dentist might be able to add more stability to the jaw through an oral surgery called a bone graft. If this is not feasible, you may need to choose an alternative tooth replacement solution.
Commitment to the Implant Dentistry Process
Implant dentistry will take three or more sessions over the course of several months to complete the restorative dental treatment. Therefore, the ideal candidates for this treatment will be willing to commit to this process and remain patient. They can focus on the lifetime of benefits to their smile that they will experience at the conclusion of their treatment.
The implant dentistry treatment begins with a consultation with a dentist. Then the patient will undergo oral surgery to receive the anchors of the implants in their jaw. When these heal, they can return to their dentist to secure the prosthetic teeth into place.
Patients can count on a beautiful and natural-looking finish with these replacement teeth. They can also feel confident when performing oral functions. Implants will preserve jawbone as well, a feat that removable devices like dentures cannot achieve.