Are You A Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an increasingly popular solution for people seeking a permanent, natural and comfortable solution for tooth loss — whether you’re looking to replace one, several or even all your teeth in one or both arches.

Why to consider implants

The benefits of dental implants are undeniable. They replace the roots of your original teeth, not just the structure of the teeth you used to see above your gum line. That means two important things. First, that your replacement crowns, bridges or dentures will have exactly the same support as your original natural teeth did. They won’t sit on your gums like dentures. Rather, they’ll be planted firmly into your jaw. Second, implants stop the previously inevitable loss of jaw bone mass and density that develops due to the loss of your tooth roots with tooth loss. The titanium posts that are essential to implants are accepted by your body as natural tissue. Not only do they fill the space left behind your original tooth roots, they actually stimulate the growth of new and healthy bone tissue in your jaw. Implants will help maintain the shape and structure of your face and will never need to be replaced due to a shrinking jaw (like dentures would).

Are you a good candidate for implants?

As your dental implants specialist in Winnipeg will explain, implants are not appropriate for everyone. To determine whether you’re a good candidate requires a careful review of your medical history, the condition of your jaw, your general health, and any current medications. As a very general rule, though, the following are five characteristics of good candidates for dental implants:

• If your gums (and any natural teeth you intend to keep) are healthy
• You have sufficient jaw bone density to support implants (or are a good candidate for bone grafting to supplement your existing bone density or for alternative forms of implants such as zygomatic implants)
• You have demonstrated a commitment to excellent daily dental hygiene habits necessary to sustain the health of your implants and to avoid developing gum disease and peri-implantitis
• You don’t smoke or are prepared to quit smoking several months before implant surgery and continue to be a non-smoker
• You do not suffer from any uncontrolled chronic medical conditions such as diabetes unless your doctor clears you for implant procedures

Who is not a good candidate for dental implants?

The easiest way to describe people who are not good candidates for implants is to simply flip the five points listed above. There are, though, additional situations which might suggest you are not a good candidate (at least without more thorough planning or supplementary procedures to improve the chances of a successful outcome). Specifically concerning issues include:

• People who have undergone radiation affecting your head, face or jaw
• People with uncontrolled diabetes, cancer and other chronic medications
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Anyone that takes medications that suppress your immune system
• If you have the potentially harmful habit of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth (either as you sleep or during waking hours)

If the above five circumstances describe you, that does not necessarily mean that you can not benefit from dental implants. What it does mean is that your situation will require even more careful review by a dental implants specialist near you. In some cases, circumstances like these can be addressed by taking extra precautions, customizing your treatment plan or additional procedures. If it turns out that implants are not an appropriate alternative for replacing your teeth, a dentist near you will suggest alternatives to help you to achieve your goals.

The most effective way to answer the question whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants is to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Winnipeg to discuss all of these circumstances and to ensure all your questions are answered.