Dental implants are an important part of replacing teeth. As prosthetic teeth roots, they offer the sturdiest base for modern dental prosthetics (i.e., dental crowns and dentures). While most patients who’ve lost teeth are eligible for dental implants, your oral health has to meet certain criteria before dental implant surgery can be planned and scheduled. Today, we answer a few of the questions that must be asked and resolved to prepare your smile for dental implant placement.
How many teeth do you need to replace?
The amount of teeth you’ve lost dictates what dental prosthetic you require. For instance, a single lost tooth can be replaced with a single dental implant and crown, while total tooth loss requires a full denture. It also determines how many dental implants you’ll need, which directly influences how substantial your jawbone will have to be to support your dental implant prosthetic.
Do you exhibit gum disease?
If you’ve lost teeth to advanced disease, such as gum disease, then your mouth will need a clean bill of health before dental implant planning can proceed. As the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States, gum disease erodes your gums and jawbone, inhibiting your ability to retain natural teeth. If gum disease is present when you receive your dental implants, then the infection may compromise the success of your dental implant surgery and recovery.
Is your jawbone still strong?
Healthy teeth roots signal your body to send your jawbone enough nutrients to sustain your teeth. When a root is lost and the stimulation diminishes, so does the nutrient supply to your jawbone, which can eventually lead to jawbone deterioration. Advanced gum disease can also cause the destruction of some jawbone tissue, weakening its structure. If your jawbone is insufficient to support the necessary implants, then we may recommend jawbone grafting for reinforcement.
Learn More About Our Comprehensive Implant Services
If you’ve lost teeth, but need to undergo a prerequisite procedure before qualifying for dental implant placement, then we can complete all of your treatment in just a single office. To schedule a consultation, call our dental implant office nearest you today at 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).