Who Is a Candidiate for Dental Implant Restoration?

There are many people who can benefit from a dental implant restoration. It is typically up to the oral professional to evaluate which candidates are best suited for the treatment. There are other alternatives when it comes to replacing missing teeth, but none have the restorative and cosmetic properties of implants.

For example, dental implant restorations help preserve the wearer's jawbone tissue. It functions just like a real tooth's roots, so it transfers force to the jaw whenever the person bites on something. This keeps the surrounding bone tissue, which once held the lost real tooth in place, adequately stimulated, preventing it from deteriorating.

Who is qualified for dental implant restorations?

Most people who have lost one or more of their natural teeth are good candidates for dental implants. However, those who are dealing with specific health conditions or have certain habits might be advised to go with other tooth replacement options.

Issues that can disqualify a person from getting implants include:

• Health issues that affect the person's ability to heal
• Those who are dealing with cancer or diabetes
• People who have had radiation treatment
• Those who use tobacco products
• Habitual alcohol users
• People with periodontal disease
• Those who do not have sufficient bone tissue to hold implants in place
• Anyone who is unwilling to wait up to six months to have their smile restored

Let us take a closer look at how some of these issues affect a person's ability to recover from implant surgery:

1. The patient's health

How healthy a patient is plays a huge role when figuring out if they are qualified for implants. The procedure requires minor oral surgery, and those who have health issues might take longer to recover from it. These people are also more likely to have complications with their implants.

2. Cancer/diabetes

Diabetes slows down healing and increases the risk of an infection developing after surgery. It also limits bone formation, which can affect how osseointegration (the process of bone tissue fusing with the implant) plays out.

The same goes for people dealing with cancer, especially if they have had radiation treatment. Cancer, as well as many other chronic diseases, weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of complications developing. Most cancer patients will have to wait until their radiation treatment is complete before they are cleared for implants.

3. Tobacco and alcohol consumption

Drinking and smoking significantly hinder the recovery process. People who use either substance should abstain from it prior to and after their treatment. Many dentists will only perform implant restorations on those who are willing to give up these habits.

4. Lack of bone tissue

People who do not have enough bone tissue to hold the implant in place are not good candidates for implants. Bone grafts need to be performed first on such patients. It can take up to three months to recover from bone grafts before being qualified for implants.

Implants are virtually the same as real teeth

There is no ideal teeth replacement option that comes with the cosmetic and restorative properties of implants. Stop by our clinic and explore your options today.

Request an appointment here: https://ismiledentalcarenj.com or call iSmile Dental Care at (908) 768-3057 for an appointment in our Union office.

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