Missing teeth can change the way you eat, speak, and smile. If you’re looking for a way to replace missing teeth, you may wonder if dental implants are right for you. Our team at Lake Baldwin Dental is committed to providing the best solution for your unique needs, starting with a personalized consultation. Here’s what we look for to find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Baldwin Park, FL!
This post explores what we look for in good dental implant candidates, issues that may mean other tooth replacements are better for your smile, and procedures that can set you up for long-term smile success.
What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
With modern technology and techniques, most adults with missing teeth qualify for dental implants. However, there are several factors that determine whether your implant surgery is more or less likely to be successful.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace a tooth root to support a permanent tooth replacement. While they can last many years with proper care, there are a few key things we look for in the best dental implant candidates
Factors that determine dental implant candidacy
- Generally healthy gums
- No active infection or periodontal disease
- Enough bone to completely surround the implant post
- Good enough bone density to support the implant
- Little or no tobacco use, or willing to quit
- Stable enough physical health to tolerate the surgical process
- Motivated and capable of maintaining good home care
How do we determine who is a good candidate for dental implants?
During your dental implant consultation in Baldwin Park, our team will carefully evaluate your oral health and jaw structure. We use advanced 3D CBCT imaging to get a detailed view of your bone volume and anatomy. We then coordinate with a trusted periodontist in Orlando to determine whether you’re an ideal candidate, or what additional procedures you may need to make dental implants a good option.
Issues That Can Affect Dental Implant Candidacy
While more people are good candidates for dental implants now than ever before, there are some conditions that can make implant treatment more challenging. These issues do not always mean implants aren’t an option, but they may need special attention before moving forward.
Factors that may impact implant candidacy
- Advanced gum disease or active periodontitis
- Severe bone loss in the jaw
- Uncontrolled health conditions such as diabetes
- Medical conditions or medications that affect healing
- Heavy smoking, vaping, or tobacco use and unable to cut back or quit
- Heavy alcohol use
- Severe teeth grinding or complex bite problems
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Bone Loss?
In many cases, yes! Even if you have bone loss, you may still be able to get dental implants. Bone loss often happens after a tooth goes missing because the jawbone no longer receives support from the tooth root. We frequently recommend placing a bone graft after a tooth extraction (a procedure called socket preservation). This helps to stabilize the shape of the jawbone and slow down resorption, setting you up for successful dental implants later.
Even if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time or lost bone volume due to previous gum disease or other issues with the jawbone, there are additional procedures that may be able to help.
Procedures That Can Help You Become a Better Candidate for Dental Implants
Getting dental implants happens in stages. Before having your implant placed, you may need other procedures to create a stronger, healthier foundation for your new smile.
- Tooth extraction. If you have a broken or severely damaged tooth that can’t be saved, we’ll need to remove it before placing your dental implant.
- Bone grafting. As mentioned earlier, placing a bone graft helps to create the necessary support for implant posts.
- Ridge augmentation. This is a special type of bone graft that rebuilds the normal size and shape of the jawbone if you’ve been living with missing teeth or wearing dentures for a long time.
- Sinus lift. If you need dental implants to replace the upper molars or premolars, a sinus lift procedure is sometimes needed to add vertical support by gently repositioning the floor of the sinus.
- Gum disease treatment. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, but the inflammation and bacteria involved can compromise the outcome of your surgery. Treating gum disease first helps to prevent problems.
We’re Here to Help You Enjoy a Complete Smile Again!
Our team at Lake Baldwin Dental is here to help you enjoy a strong, healthy smile for life. We provide comprehensive evaluations to help you decide the best tooth replacement option for your smile goals, lifestyle, and budget.
If you are a good candidate for dental implants, we’ll create a completely personalized treatment plan to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible. We coordinate with a trusted periodontist or oral surgeon near you in Orlando for advanced surgical solutions. After your implant placement, our team uses state-of-the-art digital design technology to craft custom implant restorations that look completely natural and last years to come.
Get in touch with our team to find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Baldwin Park so you can smile with total confidence, Orlando!