Dental implants have revolutionized tooth replacement. They’re different from dentures. You don’t have to take them out to clean or worry about breaking them. Implants look and feel like your natural teeth. Let’s look into who is a good candidate for dental implants.
Are there special requirements to be a candidate for implants? A few, but with good oral health, almost anyone can qualify for dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the perfect solution if you have one or more missing teeth. They replace tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts, and prosthetic teeth, filling the gap from a missing tooth.
They look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. Because implants are made of metal and porcelain, they will never decay.
Am I a Candidate?
To know if you’re a candidate for dental implants, you first need a thorough dental exam. The best candidates for implants have:
- Healthy teeth and gums
- Good jawbone density to offer support for the implant
- An excellent dental hygiene routine
- Stopped smoking or have always been a non-smoker
- A willingness to wait as the process can take several months
Children Are Not Good Candidates
Implants are placed directly into the jawbone, so your jaw must be fully developed. For a girl, the earliest age she can qualify for a dental implant is 17. For a boy, 19 is the best age. The difference in ages is how fast male and female bones grow.
Look for a True Implant Specialist
Have you seen the advertisements for “Dental Implants in a Day”? Remember, anything done well often takes time.
You need time for an initial dental evaluation. If you’re replacing a cracked or chipped tooth, you’ll need to have the tooth pulled. Once the extraction site has healed, the metal screw is placed in your jawbone if the bone is healthy.
As the jawbone grows around the implant, the next step is adding the prosthetic tooth. Your implant should now be permanently secure.
Contact Dr. Foote
Dr. Foote is on top of restorative dentistry and dental implant techniques. He individually crafts each prosthetic tooth to match the shape and color of your teeth.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of dental implants, set up an initial consultation with Dr. Foote. He’ll evaluate the health of your surrounding teeth, gums, and jaw. Contact Dr. Foote today.