At Longwood Dental Group, One of the Most Common Questions Our Patients Ask Is, “Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?”
Hiding your smile again because of missing teeth?
Someone Who Needs to Replace Missing Teeth
If it’s possible to restore your natural teeth, that’s always the best option. But if you need to have a tooth pulled or it is already missing, implants are the best option to consider when it comes to replacing them. They’re the only restoration that truly mimics the function and appearance of a real tooth.
Although each candidate should be considered on an individual basis, there are a few common requirements that must be met before you can consider treatment.
Healthy Bone
The first factor impacting whether or not you can be a candidate for implants is whether or not there is enough healthy bone to support them. Excessive bone loss from periodontal disease or other conditions like osteoporosis may make treatment difficult. In some cases, Longwood Dental Group offers bone grafting alongside of implant therapy to increase the quantity and quality of bone in your jaw.
Good Oral Health
It’s impossible to keep your implants healthy if you aren’t caring for the neighboring teeth. Bacterial plaque can collect around implants as well, so oral hygiene is vital to prevent unwanted loss of your new restoration. Essentially, you’ll want to be committed to brushing and flossing your implants on a daily basis – just like real teeth.
Cleared by Your Medical Doctor
Certain types of health conditions or medication use may be a contraindication for dental implant surgery. Please provide our Brookline dentists with a completed health history form, so that we can discuss any factors that may impact a successful treatment. If necessary, we are also happy to speak with your medical provider, directly. If you use tobacco products, please let us know.
Age Requirements
Growing teens may not have yet reached fully mature oral development. In most cases, implants aren’t recommended on males under the age of 18, or females under age 16. A bit more time may be necessary, depending on the location of the implant.
When in Doubt, Get a Second Opinion
If you’ve been told in the past that dental implants weren’t an option, call Longwood Dental Group in Brookline for a second opinion. It may be that changes in techniques or advancements in implants have been made to accommodate your specific needs.
Find Out If Dental Implants Are For You
To find out whether or not implants are an option for you, we invite you to schedule a no-pressure consultation where you can discuss your concerns and expectations with our Board Certified Dental Implant Specialists.