Understanding Dental Implants And Determining If You Are A Candidate

Dentist Blog

Dental implant technology is a great way to replace missing teeth. If you don't want to rely on partial dentures or a bridge, you can get dental implants instead. The process works by putting a titanium rod into your jaw, which acts as the root of your new tooth. A crown is then created, and the crown is permanently attached to the rod. You have a natural-looking tooth that doesn't need to be treated any differently than your existing teeth once it embeds into your jaw. Some people are not good candidates for dental implants, so it's important to talk to your dentist before you get this procedure done to make sure you are ready for it.

When You are a Smoker

Smokers are not good candidates for several reasons. When you are a smoker, your mouth becomes dry and creates a difficult environment for a titanium rod to heal in. The poor circulation in your gums only adds to the problem and difficulty healing. The movement your mouth makes when you smoke makes it hard for the rod to stay in place, and most people who get implants and also smoke have had the process fail. The good news is, if you quit smoking, you can get implants if everything else is fine.

If You Have Diabetes

Blood sugar levels can directly impact your ability to heal. While it is not a major surgery, an implant needs to embed into your jaw over several months. If you have blood sugar levels that are out of control, you are not a viable candidate for dental implants. If you can get your blood sugar levels under control with medication, your dentist may consider you a candidate for the surgery. 

When You Have Bone Loss

If you have had a missing tooth for a number of years, you may have too much bone loss for an implant to be placed into your jaw. Your dentist may be able to use synthetic bone to build up your jaw bone until there is enough there for an implant. Talk to your dentist if you have had missing teeth for some time and you are interested in dental implants.

When you get dental implants, you will have new teeth that look and feel just like natural teeth. As long as you are a good candidate, you can expect your dental implants to last a lifetime. 

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30 July 2019

Loving Your Smile

Do you remember the last time you looked at your smile and really loved what you saw? A few years ago I started spending more time analyzing my appearance, and I noticed that my teeth were seriously lacking. I knew that I had to do something to improve the situation, so I began focusing on loving my smile by getting some work done. I started talking with a dentist about how he could help, and it was really incredible to see the simple difference that he was able to make. Within a few years, my smile looked and felt completely different, and I was really pleased with the results. Check out this blog for great information on making your smile more beautiful.