Dental implants have become one of the popular and most effective treatments to replace missing teeth which are stable, durable, and even natural in appearance. However, not everyone may be a good candidate for a dental implant. At Wolf Willow Orchid Dental, we believe that patient education is the key to the right decision that can be taken about dental treatment. Who may not be recommended for dental implants? Reasons for being ineligible Alternative options Expert advice from our dental professionals.
What Are Dental Implants?
1. Definition
Dental implants are titanium roots placed surgically in the jawbone beneath the gums, providing a stable foundation for replacement teeth in the form of crowns, bridges, or dentures, which look and function like natural teeth.
2. Benefits of Dental Implants
- Durability: Implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care.
- Functionality: Will be able to bite and chew like natural teeth
- Aesthetics: Enhance the beauty of the smile and the facial architecture
Who Should Not Be Treated for Dental Implants?
1. Medical Conditions
- Untreated Chronic Diseases: An example is uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases, such that healing after surgery cannot be guaranteed.
- Osteoporosis: Lowered bone density may compromise the stability of the implant.
2. Smoking and Tobacco Use
Impact on Healing: Smoking can cause interference with blood flow and delay healing, which raises the risk of implant failure.
3. Gum Disease
Periodontal Conditions: Advanced gum disease, periodontitis, can lead to weakness in the bone structure surrounding the implant.
4. Low Bone Density
Bone Mass: Poor bone architecture in the jaw requires bone grafting before implant placement.
Factors to Evaluate Dental Implant Appropriateness
1. Medical Background Check
General Evaluation: Medical history, medications, any previous surgeries.
2. Analysis of Oral Health Status
Dental Examination: Visual examination of the gums and teeth and the assessment of the jawbone density on imaging (X-rays and CT scans).
3. Habits
Quit Smoking Incentive: Promotes quitting smoking to have improved surgical success and better chances of long-term survival
Alternatives to Dental Implants
1. Fixed Dental Bridges
- Procedure: Attachment of artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
- Indications: Suitable for patients with healthy adjacent teeth and adequate bone support.
2. Dentures
- Types: Complete or partial removable dentures for the restoration of several or all teeth in a dental arch.
- Advantages: Non-invasive procedure with minimum invasiveness of surgery.
3. Bone Grafting
- Procedure: Rehabilitation of jaw volume by procedures of bone grafting that help prepare the jaw in advance to provide a medium for implants.
- Preparation: Building up the bones and strength to endure the insertion process of implants.
Wolf Willow Orchid Dental Expert Advice
At Wolf Willow Orchid Dental, our dentist in SE Calgary will give individualized attention to your concerns and treat you with professional care with all the informed decisions needed on dental treatment. Come talk to us about being qualified for implants or even some alternatives in case an implant is not possible, and we’ll discuss this together as we run through any extensive evaluations and assessments.
Conclusion
Though dental implants offer substantial benefits to most of our patients, some will unfortunately not be a suitable fit for dental implants on medical, lifestyle, or dental health grounds. If this is the case with our patients, we counsel patients to book an initial appointment to assess whether the conditions are right for them to have dental implants or some variation of it to fulfill their needs. Call at [email protected] or call at 403-604-6845 to get your personal eligibility criteria and other appropriate procedures.