If you’re missing one or more teeth, then you’re probably considering getting dental implants to replace them. As one of the most popular and effective restorations, these metal posts can restore your full smile as well as preserve your facial structure for a lifetime. However, some conditions can hinder your ability to undergo treatment in the first place. Read on to learn about five issues that can prevent you from getting dental implants!
NOT ENOUGH JAWBONE For your restorations to be successful, you must have enough healthy jawbone. Without sufficient bone density, your dental implants will have a higher risk of failure. This condition can also make your tissues more fragile, which can cause them to be more susceptible to fractures. To address this, your dentist may recommend that you undergo a bone graft to promote strong jawbone growth.
GUM DISEASE Having healthy gums is also crucial for your dental implant surgery, as they’ll need to recover efficiently around your restorations. This can be problematic if you currently have periodontal disease, as this will damage your gums and jawbone. Without treatment, the infection can develop around your implant, eventually leading to failure. For this reason, you’ll need to seek gum disease treatment before you’re eligible for the restoration procedure.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS Dental implants can also fail if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. These illnesses can slow your healing process, making it more difficult for osseointegration to occur and preventing your implants from fusing with your jawbone. Some medications can also interfere with new bone growth, so it’s important to discuss your prescriptions with your dentist before receiving treatment.
SMOKING Other than increasing your risk of oral cancer, smoking tobacco can also restrict blood flow to your gums. This will slow your healing process, reducing your dental implant success. However, by avoiding or quitting this habit at least one week before your treatment, you might have a better outcome.
POOR DENTAL HYGIENE While brushing and flossing are vital for maintaining healthy teeth in the long run, it’s also necessary for increasing the success rate of your dental implants. You’ll need to be able to thoroughly clean your smile after your procedure. If you have limitations that affect your ability to do so, then you might risk allowing debris and bacteria to accumulate around the implant site. By consulting your dentist, they can provide you with best practices for maintaining a healthy smile.
Although several conditions can keep you from getting dental implants, you can still seek treatments to make yourself a good candidate for the procedure. Speak with your dentist if you’re interested, and they’ll be more than happy to assess your situation and discuss your options for restoring your pearly whites!
We provide a wide selection of comprehensive treatments, including dental implants, and will do everything we can to increase your chances of a successful procedure. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call 941-260-1199.