If you have a missing or damaged tooth, you can now replace it with a dental implant that is a replica of the original tooth. Unlike in the past, when people used dentures to fill spaces in their teeth, today, the quality of teeth replacements has improved thanks to the ongoing technological advancements in dentistry. Dental implants are made of titanium, ceramic, or other compounds, which allows the bone to grow and heal around it, making the implant permanent. Therefore, with dental implants, your mouth can function like that of someone with natural teeth.
But how do you know if you are the right candidate for dental implants? The truth is that anyone can get dental implants. However, some situations can prevent a patient from replacing their teeth with dental implants. If you understand these circumstances, you won’t be shocked when your doctor advises you against getting dental implants. Here are several factors that determine whether you qualify for dental implants.
Fundamental Oral Health
Since the installation of dental implants involves complex oral surgery, your doctor must consider your oral health before they perform the surgery. They have to do all the necessary tests and scans to ensure your mouth does not have infections that can lead to cause the implants to fail. If you have a gum infection, damaged jaw, or any other oral complication, you should rectify it first before you can replace your teeth with implants. Excellent oral health creates the ideal environment in your mouth for the dental implants to heal and stick permanently.
Overall Health
Even though dental implants require oral surgery, the health of other body parts is equally essential. Therefore, your overall health profoundly influences the likelihood that your operation and the recovery process go on safely and successfully. Before the oral surgery, your doctor should do all the necessary medical tests to make sure you do not have any hidden medical conditions that may render the surgery risky.
Enough Bone
Dental implants are attached to the jawbone, which drilled and shaped in a way that will accommodate the devices. Therefore, you need to have enough bone to support the implants. If there isn’t enough bone, your doctor should start by doing bone grafting to create the required amount of bone in your jaw for dental implants.
You only qualify for dental implants if you meet all of the above criteria. And even if you do not meet all of these qualifications, there are specific steps that you can take to increase your chances of qualifying.