5 Qualities of a Good Dental Implant Candidate

Are you tired of living with noticeable gaps in your smile? Traditional crowns, bridges, and dentures can all effectively replace missing teeth. However, dental implants are fast becoming the most popular restorative solution. Want to know if you are a good candidate? While a dentist or dental surgeon is best qualified to judge which patients can benefit from dental implants in Orlando, here are 5 important qualities nearly all good implant candidates must have.

#1: Adequate Jawbone Depth and Strength

Dental implants provide maximum stability and chewing power by fusing with the jawbone. When teeth go missing, however, the jawbone may slowly deteriorate over time due to lack of stimulation from tooth roots. A weak or thin jawbone usually cannot support a dental implant.

If you do not have adequate jawbone strength, your dentist may recommend a preliminary bone graft procedure. A bone graft encourages new bone growth to strengthen the area of the jaw where an implant will be placed.

#2: Healthy Gums

In addition to a strong jawbone, gum health is also very important when it comes to dental implants. Healthy gums fit snugly around teeth to help hold them in place and protect the tooth roots. Similarly, gums should also fit securely around a dental implant. However, if you have periodontal disease, your gums may recede and fail to fuse with the implant.  

In addition, the bacteria that causes gum disease can also cause peri-implantitis, an infection of the dental implant. Untreated peri-implantitis can cause bone loss, which may lead to implant failure.

#3: Free from Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases can increase the risk of implant failure. For example, diabetes contributes to gum disease, which (as noted above) can increase the risk of peri-implantitis. Meanwhile, heart disease and sleep apnea can interfere with the anesthesia used during implant placement surgery. Even habitual teeth grinding at night can interfere with the implant healing process.

As these examples show, it is very important that you share your medical records with your dentist if you are considering dental implants in Orlando.

#4: Do Not Smoke Tobacco

Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and interferes with the healing process by reducing blood flow. Both of these negative impacts of smoking can significantly increase the risk of implant failure. Are you a habitual smoker who is considering implant treatment? If you want to successfully restore your smile with dental implants, now is the perfect time to finally kick the tobacco habit!

#5: Practice Good Oral Health Habits

Finally, good candidates for dental implants should be committed to practicing excellent oral hygiene at home. The same habits that protect natural teeth can also help ensure your dental implants last as long as possible. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting a dentist in Orlando every six months are all critical to the long-term success of implant treatment.

Now that you know a little more about what qualities make a good candidate for dental implants, do not hesitate to contact your dentist if you feel ready for an initial consultation!

About the Author

Dr. John E. Russo has over 20 years of experience restoring Orlando residents’ smiles with dental implants. Dr. Russo’s years of dedication and excellence have been recognized not only by his patients but also by Orlando Magazine, which named him a “Top Dentist” for 8 years in a row! To learn more about implant treatment, visit Dr. Russo’s website or call (407) 470-1224.

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