(410) 939-5800
Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?
Are you looking to restore your smile? If so, you may be a candidate for dental implants. Due to their natural look and feel, dental implants are one of the most popular treatments for missing teeth. In fact, more than 500,000 Americans get dental implants every year. Read on to learn if dental implants are the right tooth replacement solution for you.
Dental Implant Candidacy
Dental implants are likely the right solution for you if:
- You want to fill the gaps in your smile
- You want to improve your oral health
- You want to increase your confidence
- You want to live life without restriction
Are There Factors That Make Some Patients Less Desirable?
The answer to this is yes. Here are some of the patients that may be less desirable:
-
Patients that smoke
-
Patients that have problems with alcohol or drug addiction
-
Pregnant women
-
Children with undeveloped jawbones
-
Patients with autoimmune disorders
-
Patients that recently underwent cancer treatment
-
Patients that have uncontrolled periodontal disease
These patients are not necessarily disqualified when it comes to dental implants. They will simply require a comprehensive examination and additional scrutiny.
What About Supplemental Procedures?
Dental implant success depends on healthy gums, sufficient jawbone density, and good overall health. However, if any of these things are lacking, additional procedures may be required to prepare the patient for their dental implant placement. If you lack proper bone density in your jaw, bone grafting is a related procedure that allows your doctor to bulk up your jawbone and make it stronger. During this simple procedure, your doctor will take a piece of healthy tissue from an alternative source. Your doctor will then attach the donated bone to the areas of the jawbone that are weak. The same type of procedure can be used to add healthy volume to gums.
How Dental Implants Can Help You
Dental implants offer many benefits that other tooth replacement options can’t match, such as:
- Permanent Restorations — unlike dentures, your dental implants never need to be removed and can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Natural Look and Function — dental implants are made to look natural and match the appearance of your surrounding teeth. Implants also make it easy to chew your favorite foods, such as steak and vegetables, without the hassle of removing them.
- Protection for Your Oral Health — removable options such as dentures can lead to the deterioration of your jawbone and gums. Dental implants maintain your oral health through osseointegration, the process by which your implants fuse with your jawbone for full support. This will also protect your surrounding teeth and gums by keeping your jaw strong and healthy.
- No Special Cleaning Required — forget the hassle of removing your dentures every night for cleaning or special tools for flossing between your dental bridge. No special cleaning routine or products are necessary for dental implants. Just brush and floss them as you would your natural teeth.
- A Fully Restored Smile — if you’re not happy with the appearance of your smile, dental implants can change your self-image. A bright, healthy smile will help you project an image of confidence to everyone around you. Learn more about the benefits of a healthy smile.
Initial Implant Consultation
If you want to restore your smile with dental implants, the first step is to schedule a consultation at our practice in Havre de Grace. During this meeting, Dr. Grubb will examine the health of your gums and jawbone. If he determines they’re not strong enough to support implants, don’t worry. We offer supplemental procedures such as bone grafting and soft tissue augmentation to get you ready for implant placement. Read more about our dental implant treatment process.
Start Your Journey to a New Smile
If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants can restore your smile. In addition to enhancing your appearance, dental implants will keep your jawbone healthy and recover the functionality of your missing teeth. No other tooth replacement treatment can match the durability and effectiveness of dental implants. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today and start your journey to a new smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for dental implants if I have dentures?
Can I get dental implants if I have missing teeth?
Can teenagers get dental implants?
Can I get dental implants while pregnant?
Am I a candidate for dental implants if I have dentures?
If you’ve worn dentures for a long time, then you’ve likely suffered from jawbone deterioration due to the absence of a root. For patients who lack the jaw strength for implants, your dentist can perform a bone graft to restore your oral health and help you qualify for the procedure. Unlike other restorations, once your implant is inserted, it will stimulate healthy bone growth to strengthen your jaw.
Can I get dental implants if I have missing teeth?
Dental implants can be used to restore any number of missing teeth. Depending on the amount of missing teeth and location of the gaps in your smile, Dr. Grubb can secure a customized dental bridge or an implant-supported denture by using one or more fixtures. That way, even if you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, you can still achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile while also improving both your oral health and confidence at the same time.
Can teenagers get dental implants?
Although kids and teens may lose their teeth either through playing sports or by being in an accident, dental implants are too dangerous to place on those whose jawbones are still growing. This may affect how new teeth grow and other aspects of their smile such as bite alignment and their jaw. Still, we recommend visiting our Havre de Grace office so that our dentist can examine your child’s oral health to determine the right course of action.
Can I get dental implants while pregnant?
No, it’s strongly recommended to wait until you’ve delivered your baby before pursuing dental implant surgery. Any complications that arise during the procedure may disrupt the pregnancy, so unless it’s an emergency, it’s best to hold off on dental implants until after. During your initial consultation with Dr. Grubb, he’ll examine your smile and provide you with instructions on what measures you can take before you’re ready to undergo implant surgery.
Credentials
