Factors to Consider Before Getting Dental Implants

Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements made of titanium and used to replace one or more missing teeth permanently. Unlike removable dentures, implants require surgery to be placed in your jawbone. At Whitlow Dental Care, our dentist will work with you to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Factors such as your jawbone and overall health will be considered before your dentist recommends dental implants. If approved, the dental implant process will take a few months, as the implant post needs time to integrate with your jawbone and become strong enough to support your artificial tooth. Then, a custom crown or bridge is placed to complete the restoration. This procedure is permanent and non-removable, so you don’t have to worry about removing your implants like with dentures. Maintaining oral hygiene is much easier for patients missing one or more teeth. There’s no need to carefully clean around bridges or other restorations to prevent decay in surrounding teeth and gums. 

Replacing missing teeth is important to your oral health and appearance. Without a full smile, you can also experience bone loss in your jaw due to the teeth shifting to fill the gaps. This can affect your appearance and cause premature wrinkles and other signs of aging.

The Advantages of Dental Implants 

• Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, enhancing your smile and overall facial aesthetics. 
• Unlike removable dentures, dental implants do not slip or cause speech problems, allowing for clear and confident speech. 
• Dental implants are securely anchored in the jawbone, eliminating the discomfort and irritation of removable dentures. 
• Dental implants restore chewing function, enabling you to eat your favorite foods without difficulty or discomfort. 
• Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss and maintaining the integrity of the facial structure. 

Factors to Consider Before Getting Dental Implants 

Overall Oral Health 

Your oral health plays a crucial role in the success of dental implants. It's essential to have healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density to support the implant. If you have issues such as gum disease or bone loss, these may need to be addressed before implant placement. 

Bone Density 

Sufficient jawbone density and volume are crucial for successful implant placement. If you have significant bone loss, bone grafting or other augmentation procedures may be required to enhance the bone structure before implant placement. 

Oral Habits and Lifestyle 

Certain habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can adversely affect the healing process and the long-term success of dental implants. Discussing these habits with your dental professional and considering making necessary lifestyle changes to optimize the outcome is important. 

With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a long-term investment in oral health. To improve your dental health with dental implants, visit Whitlow Dental Care at 1326 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721, or call (559) 441-7700.