Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are missing many teeth, or even just one, chances are that you are a good candidate for dental implants. Usually, the only exceptions are people who have chronic diseases (cancer, for instance, or diabetes) that would make implant surgery impractical.

Bone Density

The ideal candidate for dental implants will have good jawbone density. This is because you need a strong jawbone to support the implants. If you lack the proper bone density, though, you might still be able to have implants. Your dentist can assess you to determine your suitability for bone grafting, which is a way of harvesting bone from other parts of your body to use in building up your jawbone.

Healthy Teeth and Gums

If your oral health is good, then you are probably a candidate for dental implants. However, if you display signs of gum disease, the condition will have to be treated before implant surgery can be considered.

Smoking

If you smoke, your dentist in Stockton (and no doubt your family doctor as well) has probably told you that you should quit. If you are going to be a candidate for dental implants, though, you simply should quit over the course of the treatment, which includes not just the implant surgery but the recovery time, as well (usually a few months, but sometimes up to eight).

Willingness to Commit

In order to be a good candidate for dental implants, you have to be willing to invest the time. If the idea of committing to a treatment that will take several months is problematic for you, your dentist can suggest other ways of replacing your missing teeth.

Contact Martin Dentistry for Dental Implants

If you have been living with missing teeth and are wondering if you are a candidate for dental implants, contact us at Martin Dentistry in Stockton, CA at 209-951-4251 to book a consultation.