Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Billions of people are dealing with oral problems globally. Unfortunately, it’s something that can lead to a lifetime of pain, discomfort, and other issues. It can even lead to tooth loss.

Tooth loss makes it challenging to eat and speak properly, making it more difficult to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy. There are several options to replace teeth, and dental implants are the gold standard. 

However, before considering it, you should know if you’re a good candidate. Let’s examine how dental implants work, the types, and who benefits.

If you live in the Mamaroneck, New York, or Stamford, Connecticut, area and are considering dental implants, Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and his medical staff at All Bright Dental can help.

Dental implant basics

Dental implants replace missing teeth. They provide stability for the abutment (connecting post) and crown placed on top. The implant must fuse with your jawbone, which takes several months. After the rest of the implant is placed, you can chew and smile confidently.

Types of implants 

Here are the implant options:

• Single implant: the simplest process to replace a single tooth

• Implant-supported bridge: if you have several missing teeth, a dental bridge can be created using an implant as the primary support

• All on 4 implants: if you’re missing all of your teeth on one or both jaws, placing a full denture on four implants provides stability and function

• 3 on 6 implant: another method of replacing all teeth on one or both jaws, this works by attaching six dental implants to three bridges

Implants also come in two forms: endosteal (the most common, placed in the root) and subperiosteal. The latter is rarely used when there isn’t enough jawbone to support the other method. Instead, it is put under the gums on or above the jawbone.

Best candidates for the procedure

When considering whether to get dental implants, several factors are in play, such as the health of your gums and jawbone and the length of time you’ve gone without teeth. 

Since gum disease directly affects dental health and often leads to tooth loss and damage to your jawbone, it must be treated before getting implants. You might also first require a bone graft in your jaw.

Once your gum disease is under control, you’ll be a candidate for dental implants.

If you’re ready to see your best options for replacing missing teeth, make an appointment with Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental today.