Are You A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?
Posted on: 28 January 2022
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Many people have missing teeth, but that doesn't mean you have to accept your lackluster smile. There are many options for replacing missing teeth, but dental implants are the most durable and effective option. Before you schedule your consultation, however, consider these three questions to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.
1. Are You Missing Teeth?
Naturally, to get dental implants, you need to have missing teeth. The big question: how many teeth are missing? If you're only missing one tooth, a single implant is an ideal choice. The alternative would be getting a dental bridge that requires the surrounding teeth (anchor teeth) to be filed down. If you neglect to clean under the bridge, bacteria can easily attack the anchor teeth, which no longer have enamel to protect them. If these teeth start to rot, the entire bridge may fail.
If you're missing multiple teeth, a traditional bridge may not be durable enough. Since they require having several healthy teeth to act as anchors, too many missing teeth could put too much pressure on the healthy teeth. An implant-supported bridge, however, uses implants as anchors instead of natural teeth. Therefore, it can be used to replace more teeth, and it's more durable than a traditional bridge.
2. How's Your Health?
Before you consider dental implants, consider your oral and overall health. If you suffer from gum disease, you'll have a hard time finding a dentist who will perform dental implant surgery. Dental implants need strong gums and a strong jawbone. You'll need to treat your gum disease and treat any permanent side effects like gum pockets and bone loss before you can get implants.
In addition, some non-oral health conditions can affect your oral health. Diseases that affect your immune system like HIV make it hard for your body to heal. Plus, your body may not be able to fight off infection as well.
Diabetes can also affect your body's ability to heal itself and fight infection. Therefore, you may have more risks such as bleeding, infection, and slow healing. Getting these conditions under control with medication, diet, lifestyle choices, etc. can boost the success rate of the implant.
3. Can You Afford Implants?
Finally, you need to consider if you can afford dental implants. With good care, dental implants can last the rest of your life. However, the dental crown may need to be replaced regularly. Traditional dental bridges usually need to be replaced. For this reason, they are an expensive option.
The cost depends on multiple factors, but you can expect to pay about $2,400 to $3,000 for a single implant. The cost may increase if other procedures are needed. Your insurance may cover some of the cost of related treatments, but dental implants themselves are not typically covered.
If you're sick of your missing teeth, it's time to act. There are multiple options for replacing missing teeth, but dental implants are the most durable option. If you would like to know more about dental implants, contact a dentist in your area today.