Individuals missing one or more teeth don't usually feel happy about their smiles, and they tend to feel overly self-conscious to confidently speak with others. Besides that, tooth loss can lead to biting and chewing difficulties that negatively impact people's eating habits, and ultimately deteriorate their overall health.
By replacing root canals for missing teeth, dental implants provide a strong and stable base onto which dentures (replacement teeth) can be attached. This will make it possible for those who are missing teeth to confidently speak and smile again, as well as enjoy the foods they love. Moreover, dental implants help to maintain and stimulate the jawbone through the reinstatement of biting and chewing actions. This, in turn, helps to prevent resorption, or deterioration, of the jawbone, which may lead to loss of facial profiles.
To determine your candidacy for implant-supported dentures, you should first schedule a consultation with a dentist that specialises in implant dentistry. Here is a breakdown of what the dentist will look into to determine if you are eligible for this sort of treatment.
Health of your jawbone
Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone. Therefore, one of the key things that the dentist will seek to know is the health of your jawbone. Generally speaking, there ought to be sufficient bone and tissue in the jaw for the implant to be securely anchored. If there is sufficient jawbone, then your dentist will proceed to evaluate other factors. If there isn't enough jawbone, then the dentist will have to look into alternative ways of getting the implant surgery performed, e.g. through bone grafting.
Young patients and adults suffering from bone-deteriorating conditions would most likely require transplanted bone tissue to strengthen the jawbone. Your dentist may carry out dental X-rays and CT scans to find out if there is sufficient bone density for placement of the implant. In addition, they will also consider your oral hygiene personal habits. If you're a smoker, for example, you will be advised to stop smoking because smoking increases the risk of failure.
Patient-specific health concerns
Some pre-existing health conditions can affect your eligibility for implant-supported dentures, or how the treatment is administered. For example, people that suffer from cancer, diabetes, or periodontal disease may require special treatment before the procedure can be carried out.
Once your dentist determines that you qualify for implant-supported dentures, they can begin the process of customising your treatment, with your consent, of course.
