Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
August 25, 2016
You might have asked yourself this question a few times, especially if you have recently lost one or more adult teeth. To discover whether any patient is truly a candidate for dental implants, a general dentist like Dr. David McIntyre needs to put together a patient profile that includes examinations, screening for conditions that make implants less likely to work out, and x-rays or other diagnostic images that show how much bone is left in the area.
Bone Loss and Dental Implants
The main reason why patients looking for dental implants in Kyle, TX encounter complications is due to bone loss. This is because the implants need to be anchored to the bones in the jaw, and the alveolar bone that holds teeth in place tends to recede when it not stimulated for a period of time. What this means is that it becomes more difficult to place implants if the teeth have been missing for a long time. Gum recession can lead to similar issues, as this also affects the amount of supporting tissue available.
Typically, these common preexisting conditions also lead to bone or gum tissue loss that might affect your candidacy for dental implants:
• Cancer
• Radiation exposure to the area
• Gingivitis or other periodontal disease
• Diabetes
Sometimes, there are tissue restoration procedures that may lead toward the use of implants for patients who have lost tissue, but these are highly individual and difficult to predict without a full diagnostic.
When to Ask About Implants
If you have lost one or more teeth, your gums are in relatively healthy condition, and you have none of the preexisting conditions discussed in the last section, then it is a good idea to talk to Dr. McIntyre about how dental implants would work to help reconstruct your bite and restore your smile. Getting that conversation started is the best way to find out the answer to your question for sure. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.