preparing for unpredictable dental injuries

Posted on: 18 March 2022

Dental implants remain the most effective way to replace your missing teeth. After losing your teeth, your oral health will be significantly impacted negatively. If you don't address this concern on time, your chewing ability will be interrupted. You should also expect to have a change in your smile. While you may want to seek a dental appointment to restore your smile and maintain good oral health, the dental implant procedure isn't suited for everyone. Different aspects will determine whether or not you're an ideal candidate. Here are a few signs to keep in mind.

You Always Pay Attention to Good Oral Practices

If you never miss flossing and brushing your teeth or visiting a dentist for professional tooth cleaning, you likely are best suited for implant surgery. The implants may be constructed from synthetic materials, but good oral health practices keep them securely in place. 

You Don't Have Significant Loss of Jaw Bone

Implants are fitted in your gums and into the jawbone. As an ideal candidate for dental implants, you should have a specific amount of jaw bone for posts to be securely fitted. If you lose your teeth and stay for a long time before replacing them, you'll likely experience bone loss. Before getting an implant, your dentist will thoroughly examine your jawbone condition. If they determine you have significant bone loss, they'll discuss other tooth replacement options with you. 

You Don't Smoke and Drink Alcohol in Moderation

If you smoke cigarettes, your dentist will advise that you quit before they can fit dental implants. It's possible to have them on and keep smoking, but they're likely to fail. The problem with such a habit is that it interferes with the proper healing process after implant surgery. It also results in the build-up of bacteria. If you're a smoker, a dentist can help you develop a "quit plan" before the procedure. Like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption can slow the dental implant healing process. So, if you undertake this procedure and consume alcohol, do it in moderation. 

You Have Healthy Gums

Before the dental implant procedure can start, your dentist will begin by accessing the condition of your teeth. If your gums are diseased, it can affect the durability of your dental implant. Remember that gum disease is among the leading causes of tooth loss. Your dentist will begin by treating your gum disease, and once your gums properly heal, they can then fit the implant.

If you're looking to replace your missing tooth, dental implants are a safe option to consider. But if you don't know whether you're an ideal candidate for this tooth replacement option, this guide has shared a few essential things you should know.