Once upon a time, you were excited to lose a tooth. The tooth fairy would come and whisk away your tooth and leave money in its place. Now as an adult, however, tooth loss is a detriment to your smile and can also be a threat to your oral and general health. Therefore, tooth replacement is essential. Dental implants in Virginia Beach, VA, are probably the most lifelike substitute for missing teeth because they replace both the root and crown of your tooth. The question is: are you a qualified candidate for dental implants?
Qualifications for Dental Implants
Most people are qualified candidates for dental implants, but there are definitely some prerequisites. First, Dr. Esparaza will want to make sure that you and your mouth are in overall good shape. She will examine your teeth and make sure your gums are healthy, too. And because having dental implants does necessitate minor oral surgery, you’ll also need to be in good general health, too.
Another requirement is adequate bone density to anchor the implant in your jaw. A dental implant is made of the biocompatible metal titanium. Once embedded in your jaw, this post begins to bond with the surrounding bone tissue in order to create a secure foundation for your eventual tooth restoration. Therefore, there must be enough bone to anchor the implant. If you do not have enough bone, then a grafting procedure may be necessary to buildup bone.
Finally, you will need to commit to taking excellent care of your new dental implants and the surrounding tissue. As with your natural teeth, brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day is crucial. Regular dental checkups with the dentist in Virginia Beach are also important.
Unfortunately, some people do make good candidates for dental implants. Among them are:
- Young people whose jawbones have not yet finished growing
- Women who are currently pregnant
- People who smoke, because smoking interferes with the healing process after implants are positioned
- Patients who have received high doses of radiation to treat cancer of the head or neck
- People who have uncontrolled diabetes
- Hemophiliacs
If you know that you grind your teeth, be sure to mention this to Dr. Esparaza, as well. She will need to evaluate your teeth to see whether or not this habit might compromise implants.
Call Our Office Today
If you would like more information about dental implants, or to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for dental implants, contact Esparaza Family Dentistry in Virginia Beach, VA.