Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a wonderful choice when you are missing one or more teeth or if you want a more secure-fitting denture. Most healthy adults are good candidates for the procedure, but there are some exceptions. In order to be considered a good candidate for dental implant surgery, some of these factors need to be met:

• Have healthy bone structure
• Have healthy teeth and gums (no signs of periodontal disease)
• Patients must not have bone density problems
• Patients should not have diseases or disorders that compromise their immune systems
• Patients need to allow themselves three to six months for the implant to heal

In order to fully determine if you’re a viable candidate for dental implants, you need to come into our office for a complete exam and consultation. This will give us an idea of your bone and oral health to determine if dental implants are the right option for you. Most healthy adults who have relatively good oral health are great candidates for the procedure. X-rays are also needed to determine bone health and to find any underlying problems, if they are present.

It is important to note that you should allow yourself three to six months after the implant is placed for it to heal fully. The implant will naturally fuse with the bone of the jaw, providing a stable abutment for crowns, bridge work and even dentures. For some patients, this process is quicker than for others. It is also crucial to come into the office regularly while the implant is healing to have it checked for any problems. In the vast majority of cases, dental implants are placed quickly and heal just as fast. This provides patients with a way to correct missing dentition without having to resort to compromising any of the surrounding teeth.