Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Missing teeth can ruin your smile and tank your confidence, but they can also trigger oral health problems like:

• Crooked teeth
• Bite problems
• Altered jaw function
• Chewing difficulties
• Facial structure changes
• Increased risk of gum disease
• Jawbone loss

When you’re ready to close the gap and save your teeth, you have options, including bridges and dentures. However, dental implants are superior for several reasons — they’re permanent and strong, stimulate cell renewal in your jawbone, and look and feel just like your natural teeth. 

Dental implants anchor into your jawbone with a titanium rod that stands in for your tooth root, ensuring your jawbone receives health pressure every time you chew and stimulating new bone growth. It also keeps your implant securely in place, so you don’t have to worry about it wiggling or popping out like dentures. 

If that sounds good, talk to Hugh B. Rosenblatt, DMD, PA, in Boynton Beach, Florida. He has decades of experience using the most advanced technology, such as BioHorizons® dental implants, the iTero™ intraoral scanner, DEXIS™ digital X-rays, to create stunning smiles and healthy teeth. Dental implants may be the best solution if you’re missing a tooth or two, but you have to meet a few criteria first. Here are the factors that make you a good candidate for dental implants.

Plenty of bone density

One of the best features of dental implants is that they permanently anchor to your jaw so that you can treat them like your natural teeth. However, this requires a sturdy jaw comprised of dense bone material. 

Dr. Rosenblatt tests your bone density to determine whether your jaw can handle a dental implant or if he needs to fortify it with a bone graft. 

Healthy gums

Your gums hug your teeth and protect the roots, so you need firm, healthy gums to qualify for a dental implant. Also, during your dental implant procedure, we need to create an incision in your gums to open a space for the implant, so you’re not a good candidate if you have gum disease or an infection.

Non-smoker

Tobacco contains chemicals, such as tar and nicotine, that constrict your blood vessels and decrease oxygen delivery, hindering the healing process. Smoking is a deal-breaker for most surgical procedures, including dental implants, and the same goes for chewing tobacco.

No teeth grinding

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, damages your teeth and jaws. If you’re a grinder, we can fit you with a mouthguard to save your teeth, but you may not be a good candidate for dental implants because of the extra pressure on your jaw and the wear and tear on the crown portion of the implant. 

Good oral hygiene habits

Dental implants look and feel just like your natural teeth because they are nearly the same. That means you have to care for them with the same diligence your other teeth require. If you’re not committed to a healthy dental hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing once daily, and getting twice-yearly check-ups and cleanings, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants. 

To learn more about dental implants, contact us online or by phone and schedule a consultation with our dental implant specialist, Hugh B. Rosenblatt, DMA, PA.