MANY ADULTS HAVE MISSING TEETH, BUT THE EFFECTS CAN BE MORE HARMFUL THAN MOST PEOPLE REALIZE… Unfortunately, having gaps in your smile can have negative effects on your confidence, social opportunities, and others’ perception of you. Furthermore, leaving missing teeth unattended can lead to tooth shifting, bone and gum deterioration, and face shape alteration.
Replacing a missing tooth immediately, instead of waiting several years, prevents more expensive treatments later. Many patients find implant dentistry a worthwhile investment since it is one of the most successful dental procedures available, with a 90-95% success rate.
Implant Dentistry Success Factors
Many factors play into the success of implant dentistry. A few common components that your prosthodontist will look for include:
Adequate bone support—Since dental implants fuse with the jawbone in order to anchor the tooth, adequate bone density and quality is one of the most important requirements for dental implant success. Children don’t often qualify for implant dentistry since their bones have not sufficiently developed. Bone grafts or mini implants are sometimes considered for patients who do not have enough bone support.
Good overall health—Since implant dentistry requires a surgical procedure, it is important that you are in good health. Patients who smoke, drink alcohol, or have diabetes usually have lower success rates with dental implants since these conditions can lower oral health, which affects the healing process of the implant. But if your diabetes is well under control, then you should still be able to have dental implants.
Healthy Gums—Healthy gums are necessary to support the new dental implant as it fuses with the jawbone. Patients with a high risk of periodontal (gum) disease often experience dental implant failure. It is important to have a cleaning done before having an implant placed.
Commitment to Oral Health—A dental implant requires excellent dental hygiene. A commitment to daily brushing and flossing, along with periodic visits to the dentist is crucial. Keep in mind that these hygiene habits are crucial to preserving the health and strength of your natural teeth as well.
The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for implant dentistry is to visit with a qualified Prosthodontist. A qualified Prosthodontist is a specialist who can place and restore implants. Most likely, your Prosthodontist will look for the above criteria, as well as the location of your missing tooth when determining whether implant dentistry is the best solution for your smile.
