Dental implants are a popular and beneficial tooth replacement options that dentists have to offer. However, like all medical procedures, not everyone will be a good candidate for receiving these implants. If you are interested in using dental implants to replace one or more of your teeth, taking the time to ask yourself the following five questions can help you to determine whether or not you may be a good candidate for this procedure.

Are Your Gums Healthy?

Issues such as gum disease and receding gums can impact the results of a dental implant procedure. If your gums are not currently healthy, your dentist will likely want to treat any gum-related problems before moving forward with your implants. Unfortunately in some cases, restoring adequate gum health may not be possible.

Are You In Overall Good Health?

The ability for your body to be able to heal well after surgery is vital to the success of a dental implant procedure. If you are suffering from illnesses such as uncontrolled diabetes or cancer, you will likely find that these conditions inhibit your body's ability to heal properly. Consequently, you will likely find that your dentist is unwilling to give you implants until your overall health improves.

Have You Suffered Severe Bone Loss In Your Jaw?

Dental implants rely heavily upon the strength and health of your jaw. If you have suffered severe bone loss in your jaw, your dentist may determine that you are not a good candidate for dental implants. However, depending upon the level of bone loss and your overall health, it may be possible to restore the necessary density and strength to your jaw through the use of bone grafts. 

Do You Grind Or Clench Your Teeth?

If you suffer from a condition that causes you to severely clench or grind your teeth, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants. This is because tooth grinding or clenching can weaken the implants and result in damage to both the implant and your jaw over the course of time. In some cases, a dentist may be able to help treat the underlying issue that causes this behavior, ultimately allowing you to get the implants you desire. 

Are You Currently Taking Immune Suppressing Medications?

As previously discussed, the ability to heal properly is an essential part of seeing success with dental implants. If you are taking medications that suppress your immune system, these medications may interfere with the healing process and will therefore prevent you from getting dental implants. To avoid any complications due to prescription drugs, be sure to provide your dentist with a full list of your current medications when going in for an evaluation. 

In Conclusion

While answering the five questions above can help you to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants, it is important to remember that there are exceptions to every rule. Consequently, the only true way to know whether or not you will qualify for this tooth replacement option is to undergo a full evaluation by a qualified dentist. 

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