Posted on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 | 94 views
People everywhere are realizing that dental implants are one of the best choices for restoring missing or damaged teeth. If you understand why your dentist may suggest this option, you’ll be better prepared for the conversation and make better decisions about their suggestion.
In this article you’ll learn why your dentist would suggest implants, and how they’ll benefit your oral health and smile in the long run.
Before your dentist can determine if you’re a candidate for implants, you must first go through an initial evaluation of the current state of your oral health.
Your dentist will evaluate multiple factors before recommending dental implants as a treatment option for missing teeth or other issues.
The decision process involves assessing your oral health status, bone density in your jaw, and overall medical condition. They’ll examine your remaining natural teeth and try to determine if they can support alternative treatments.
This comprehensive evaluation includes taking X-rays and discussing your lifestyle habits which can affect the success of dental implants.
After your evaluation, your dentist may suggest dental implants if you’re experiencing tooth loss from severe decay, injury, or periodontal disease. They may be suggested when traditional treatments like bridges or dentures won’t provide adequate support or functionality for your specific situation.
The recommendations often come after you have developed serious problems with chewing, speaking, or maintaining proper oral hygiene due to missing teeth.
This is the stage where your dentist reviews and evaluates your complete medical history to determine your suitability for implant surgery. The initial evaluation is important because implant failure can occur if underlying health conditions go undetected before surgery.
Several chronic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, severe osteoporosis, and blood clotting disorders can significantly slow healing and lead to implant rejection.
Your dentist also needs to identify the medications you take that may interfere with bone growth, as some medications can prevent proper fusion between the implant and your jawbone.
Your dentist also examines factors like smoking habits or immune system disorders because these types of conditions can double or triple the risk of implant failure
Without this this evaluation, the patient could experience complications like interfere with bone growth, implant loosening, chronic inflammation, severe infections, or improper fusion between the implant and your jawbone. All these problems can then spread to surrounding teeth and bone tissue and cause more severe issues.
Before recommending dental implants, your dentist also needs to evaluate the strength and thickness of your jawbone, because its strength forms the foundation for successful implant placement.
Using 3D imaging technology like CT scans and digital X-rays, your dentist measures the exact dimensions and density of your jaw to determine if it can securely hold an implant.
For patients with insufficient bone density, your dentist may recommend procedures like bone grafting, or a sinus lift to build up the jawbone before the implant placement procedure.
The healing time for these preliminary procedures typically ranges from four to six months, as your body needs time to integrate with the new bone material and create a strong foundation for the implant.
During this time your dentist monitors the healing process through regular checkups and additional imaging to ensure your jaw develops strong enough to provide long-term implant support.
If you have lost a single tooth due to an accident or decay, your dentist may suggest a dental implant to fill the gap. In this case an implant acts as a replacement for the tooth root and ensures that the new crown stays securely in place.
This option can prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting and help maintain proper alignment and tooth function.
Over time, missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and mimics the natural function of the tooth roots. This stimulation helps prevent bone deterioration, preserves the structure of your face, and prevents further bone loss.
If bone loss has already occurred, your dentist may recommend a bone graft before placing the implant. This procedure helps rebuild the jawbone and provide a stable foundation for the implant so as to ensure long-term success.
When a tooth is too damaged to repair with a filling or crown, a dental implant may be the best solution. Your dentist needs to assess whether the tooth can be saved or if it needs to be extracted.
Where extraction is necessary, an implant is great at restoring the function of your teeth and enhance the appearance of your smile.
If you have multiple damaged or missing teeth, implants can support bridges or dentures. Unlike traditional options, implant-supported dental restorations are more reliable, stable and comfortable. They can improve your quality of life by making it easier to eat and speak without worrying about shifting prosthetics.
Your dentist will explain the process and help you decide if implants are the right choice for your current situation.
If you wear dentures and experience discomfort due to reasons like shifting or slipping, your dentist may also suggest implant-supported dentures. These dentures are anchored by implants and provide a clean secure fit.
This option eliminates the need for adhesives and reduces the risk of sores developing from ill-fitting dentures.
Implant-supported dentures are a long-term solution that can make everyday activities much more enjoyable.
Do you think you could be a candidate for implants? If so, schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss your options. Also contact your dental insurance provider for coverage options for implant procedures because some policies have limitations when it comes to implant surgery.
After your assessment, and if your dentist determines you’re a candidate, read our article on caring for and maintaining your dental implants so you can ensure they function optimally for years to come.
After Dr. Modi graduated from McMaster University with an Honours B.Sc. in chemistry in 1997, he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Toronto in 2001. He began to practice dentistry in Brantford the following year. Throughout his career he's completed hundreds of hours of continuing education programs and has studied with some of the best educators in the industry.
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