Are You A Good Candidate For An Implant?

The loss of a tooth can be stressful. It can interfere with your ability to chew, your self confidence, and even the bone health of your jaw. Although bridges and partial dentures are an option, they don't replicate the use and feeling of your natural tooth. For this, an implant is your best option. The following can help you determine whether you are a good candidate for an implant.

Do you practice good daily oral hygiene?

Although an implant can't suffer from decay, gum disease, and bone loss, poor oral hygiene can make an implant fail. Implants are immune to plaque, but failing to brush and floss around an implant properly, as well as skipping normal dental cleanings, can still lead to gum issues. If you already have good oral habits, which include brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits, then an implant shouldn't be a problem from a hygiene standpoint.

Is your oral health in order?

You can have good oral hygiene but still suffer from oral health issues. If you have periodontal disease, it needs to be under treatment by your dentist or a periodontist before you consider implants. This is because periodontal disease can lead to bone loss and gum loss. Both of these make it more likely for an implant to fail. Check with your periodontist before pursuing an implant. They will assess your bone and gum health and determine if your condition appears stable. If it is stable, then an implant can still be an option.

Do you smoke or use tobacco products?

Tobacco products impact your ability to heal. This is because they constrict blood flow, particularly in the mouth. Some dentists will not install an implant to someone that is a current tobacco user simply because the reduced healing ability and higher susceptibility to infections are both health and implant failure risks. The good news is that if you quit using tobacco products, your healing ability will recover within a few short weeks so you won't have to put off the implant for long.

Are there any health concerns that impact healing?

Certain health conditions, like diabetes and auto-immune diseases, can impact your body's ability to heal. This can increase your chances for implant failure. Before considering an implant you must first have your health conditions stabilized. Then, it is important for your doctor and your dentist to work together in order to determine whether an implant is the right option for you.

Contact a dentist for more help with tooth implants.