Dental implants are one of the best solutions for anyone who is missing teeth. The following criteria determine if someone is a good candidate for teeth implants Happy Valley.

Healthy Gums

Dental patients with healthy gums have a significantly higher chance of having successful implants than those with receding, swollen or bleeding gums. These conditions are due to infections that can potentially compromise the integrity of an implant.

Healthy Jaw Bone

Jaw bone loss leads to an unstable foundation for teeth, causing them to eventually loosen and fall out. Healthy bone is also necessary to support a dental implant, which must ultimately fuse with it. Without sufficient bone, an implant can become unstable and unable to withstand the force of chewing.

Willingness To Wait

The entire implant process can take up to a year. After positioning the implant, a dentist must wait anywhere between four and six months before it fuses with the jawbone. If there is insufficient bone to support the implant, a dentist may first need to perform a bone graft, prolonging the entire procedure.

After the implant is stable, the next stage involves the placement of an abutment onto which the dentist will affix the crown. The abutment must extend past the gum, which seals around it. It may take up to four weeks for the gum to thoroughly heal before the dentist can create the crown and attach it to the abutment.

Willingness to Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Patients with good oral hygiene habits are excellent candidates for dental implants. Although it is possible to make up for the jaw bone loss of periodontal disease with bone grafts, patients must commit to carefully cleaning the areas surrounding their implants to prevent bacterial infections that could cause complications.

Dental implants are a safe and beneficial solution for restoring the function of missing teeth.