Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

It’s hard to beat the look, feel, and function of a dental implant. After all, the only thing closer is a natural tooth. That’s because they get anchored into your jawbone like a natural tooth. And, once in place, you have a secure, stable, and permanent replacement — almost as if you’d never lost your tooth at all! 

Robert A. Scherrer, DMD, of Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood in Ridgewood, New Jersey, has more than 35 years of dental experience, and he’s been a Top Dentist in New Jersey for five years running. In this blog, he shares his insights into who’s a candidate for dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Unlike tooth replacement options that focus on the visible portion of the tooth, an implant replaces the entire tooth, including the root. That means the process involves outpatient oral surgery.

A dental implant consists of a titanium post, an abutment, and a crown. The post is inserted into the jawbone. The abutment is then anchored onto the top of the post. And the crown is secured to the abutment.

During this restoration, Dr. Scherrer makes a small incision in your gums to access your jawbone. Then, he uses special tools to make a hole in the bone to seat the post. After putting it in place, Dr. Scherrer repositions the gum tissue and stitches the incision closed.

Now, the jaw has to heal around the post, which can take several months. Once the jawbone has healed, Dr. Scherrer places the abutment and crown. As you can see, getting an implant is an involved process, so Dr. Scherrer takes care in advance to determine if you’re a good candidate for an implant.

Who’s a good candidate for dental implants?

When considering a dental implant, several factors come into play: physical health, oral health, and time. 

Physical health

First, it’s important to be in good physical health, and you shouldn’t use tobacco products. 

If you have any medical conditions, such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, or an autoimmune condition, it’s important to let Dr. Scherrer know in advance. A medical condition won’t necessarily keep you from getting an implant, but it could affect your outcome.

Oral health

In addition to good physical health, you should also have good oral health and good hygiene habits. 

Dr. Scherrer can identify potential issues for implants during your initial exam, including gum disease, tooth decay, or bone loss. However, Dr. Scherrer can treat these conditions, including bone loss. After restoring your oral health, Dr. Scherrer can determine your candidacy for a dental implant.

Time commitment

Finally, it’s important to note that dental implants can take several months and multiple visits to complete. So, if you want a quicker solution that doesn’t involve oral surgery, Dr. Scherrer can recommend other options, such as bridges or dentures.

Once complete, dental implants can last a lifetime with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings.

Could you be a good candidate for dental implants? Dr. Scherrer can eliminate the guesswork during a comprehensive dental exam. To learn more, call 201-670-0670 or book an appointment online with Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood today.