What Makes Someone a Good Dental Implant Candidate? 3 Key Traits

Dental implants are seen as the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth, but are they really the best choice in your specific case? In order to find the answer to this question, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with your periodontist. That being said, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the criteria that can make the treatment a good fit for you. Below are 3 qualities that can potentially make you a viable candidate for dental implants.  

1. Sufficient Bone Density in the Jaw

A natural process called osseointegration allows your dental implants to form a lasting bond with your jawbone, which gives them stability and chewing power comparable to that of your natural teeth. However, for osseointegration to be successful, your jaw needs to have a sufficient level of bone density. If there’s not enough bone, your dental implants will fail.

Before you can move forward with the dental implant process, your periodontist will need to use a CBCT scanner to evaluate the bone density in your jaw. Bear in mind that a lack of bone can often be corrected with a bone grafting procedure.

2. Healthy Gums

For your dental implants to succeed, your gums need to be in good health overall. If you have untreated gum disease, it can damage the gum and bone tissue responsible for supporting your implant posts; this can ultimately increase the chances of your dental implants failing altogether.

In order to avoid unnecessary complications, your periodontist will have to make sure that your gums are in good health overall before you receive dental implants. Any existing gum disease will need to be treated prior to your implant surgery.

3. A Lifelong Commitment to Excellent Dental Hygiene

Dental implants are well-known for their ability to last for decades. However, their longevity depends heavily on the care they receive. Good maintenance is crucial for protecting your implant posts from gum disease and other oral health issues that might put them at risk.

If you plan on getting dental implants to fill in the gaps in your smile, then you need to be able to commit yourself to a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits. Naturally, this includes brushing thoroughly at least two times a day, flossing on a daily basis, and scheduling two professional cleanings a year with your dentist.

In short, if you’re in good oral health overall and do an excellent job of taking care of your smile, you may be able to qualify for dental implants. Don’t be afraid to ask your periodontist about your candidacy for this state-of-the-art procedure!

About the Author

Dr. Franco Cordini is a periodontist with well over two decades of experience. He went to the Creighton University School of Dentistry, and he completed his specialty training for periodontics at the University of Louisville. At Cordini Periodontics, he helps his patients in Louisville recomplete their smiles with high-quality dental implant posts. If you want to find out whether you’re a viable dental implant candidate, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Cordini by visiting his website or calling (502) 425-5010.