MOST PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE THAT HAVING MISSING TEETH can actually do more harm than just affect your social opportunities, confidence, and others’ perception of you. Dr. Pitts adds, “Unattended missing teeth can also lead to bone and gum deterioration, tooth shifting, and even face shape alteration.” By replacing a missing tooth immediately, instead of waiting several years, you can prevent more expensive treatments later. Many patients believe that implant dentistry is a worthy investment since saves additional treatment in the long run and has a 90-95% success rate.
Many factors play into the success of a dental implant. A few common components that your dental implant dentist will look for are:
Good overall health—Implant dentistry requires a surgical procedure, so it is important for you to be healthy. Patients who drink alcohol, smoke, or have diabetes usually have lower success rates with dental implants since these conditions typically lower your oral health and affect the implants ability to heal. Adequate bone support—Dental implants fuse with the jawbone in order to anchor the tooth, making adequate bone density one of the most important requirements for dental implant success. Usually, children don’t qualify for dental implants because their bones are not strong enough yet. For patients without adequate bone support, bone grafts or mini implants are sometimes considered. Commitment to Oral Health—Having a dental implant requires excellent dental hygiene. Before your dentist can agree to give you implants, you must commit to daily brushing and flossing, along with periodic visits to the dentist. Keep in mind that these hygiene habits are crucial to preserving the health and strength of your natural teeth as well. Healthy Gums—Another necessary component for having dental implants is healthy gums, as they are necessary to support the new dental implant as it fuses with the jawbone. Patients with a high risk of periodontal (gum) disease often experience dental implant failure. No Teeth Clenching—If you struggle with bruxism, or teeth clenching, visit with Dr. Pitts. This has been shown to decrease success rates of dental implants.
The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants is to visit with Dr. Pitts. He’ll help you determine whether or not implant dentistry is the best solution for your smile.
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