If you have lost several teeth, you might be considering dental implants to replace them. If so, you should be aware that your overall dental health determines whether or not you are able to get a dental implant successfully. Here are some of the things that can affect your ability to get dental implants.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a big problem for dental implants. You need to have healthy gum tissue that can heal over the implants, making them permanent. Gum disease can also be an indicator of bone loss in the jaw, which leads us to…
Bone Loss
Bone loss in the jaw can happen for a number of reasons. Periodontal disease, or advanced gum disease, affects the jawbone as well as the gum tissue itself. You can also lose bone in your jaw if you have a tendency to grind your teeth or chew hard foods and ice. Having missing teeth for a long period of time can also cause the bone in that area to become weak.
Infection
Did you know that most toothaches are caused by infection? The decay in your teeth is linked to bacterial infections in the mouth. Often, dentists will treat infection before they schedule your dental treatment. If you have a lot of infection in your mouth, it will take longer for you to heal from dental work. It will also be harder for the dentist to numb your mouth, and you may require gas or other anesthesia.
Of course, all of these problems do have solutions. In reality, almost anyone is a good candidate for dental implants. If you want to discuss your potential for dental implants, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
