Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique advantages. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they include a titanium rod that’s surgically embedded into your jawbone for added strength and stability.
Before you can proceed with this procedure, you must consult your provider to ensure you’re a good candidate. Continue reading to learn about 3 qualities they’ll look for before approving you for dental implants, so you know what to expect!
Trait #1: Commitment to Dental Hygiene
Dental implants are typically reliable and have an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%. Plus, they’re made from lifelike materials intended to withstand the force of daily biting and chewing, like durable ceramic that can be customized to look like your natural teeth.
The porcelain your restoration is made from can’t develop tooth decay like your enamel, but that doesn’t mean you no longer need to worry about keeping your mouth clean. For example, did you know the leading cause of failure is a pervasive form of gum disease called peri-implantitis? This can fortunately be prevented by continuing to brush and floss twice daily to remove plaque and bacteria, and visiting your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning.
Trait #2: Supportive Jawbone
Many patients don’t realize that the roots of their teeth play an essential role in maintaining their jawbone and facial structure. They stimulate new bone growth in your jaw every time you bite down, and unfortunately, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding mass within the first year of one going missing.
These restorations involve placing a titanium rod into your jaw to fulfill this function. It takes several months to recover after the procedure because your mouth must produce enough new bone to fuse with the metal pole in a process called osseointegration. If your jaw is too thin to begin with, this stage of recovery could fail, putting your new tooth at risk. Sometimes, an additional bone graft procedure is required before continuing with implants.
Trait #3: Overall Health Management
Your dental team will also update your medical history during your initial consultation to ensure your body is healthy enough to safely undergo the procedure. For instance, if you have diabetes or heart problems, you’ll need to get those conditions under control before proceeding because they contribute to additional risk factors with dental implants.
Any condition or medications that suppress your immune system, increase your heart rate or blood pressure, or leave you more vulnerable to infections must be noted and safely managed before your procedure can be approved.
If you’re interested in getting dental implants but are unsure whether you meet the criteria, you can find out by scheduling a consultation with your dentist!
About the Practice
At Gold Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Steve Yusupov, DDS, MD, FACS, patients benefit from two experts eager to help them improve their quality of life by enhancing their dental health. Dr. Yusupov and Dr. Yunov are both highly accomplished oral surgeons who collaborate to provide various complex procedures at one convenient location to address even the most complex concerns. Then, they combine a caring approach with advanced technology to help you feel comfortable while they deliver accurate treatment results intended to last. If you’re interested in getting dental implants, you can request an appointment on the website or call (516) 744-6262.