5 Issues That Can Keep You from Getting Dental Implants

Approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. On the bright side, there are a variety of different tooth replacement options out there to choose from, including dental implants. However, they aren’t for everyone. There are certain problems that can prevent patients from becoming a good candidate for the procedure. Continue reading to learn which conditions can get in the way of this tooth replacement method.

Periodontal Disease

You cannot have dental implants placed if you have an active infection in the mouth, and that includes periodontal disease. This can develop and worsen around the area of the implant and even attack the bone that holds it into place. Ultimately, you are much more likely to end up with a dental implant failure. You must receive gum disease therapy before you can move forward in the process of getting dental implants.

Bone Loss

When you don’t have enough supportive bone available, your dentist won’t be able to place the implant in a place where it can be stable enough to be successful long term. A lot of the time, bone loss is the result of missing teeth in the past, but it can also be cause by advanced gum disease and osteoporosis.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you aren’t taking excellent care of your teeth now, you probably won’t be doing so when you have implants either. If there is a reasons why you are unable to thoroughly clean your smile each day, dental implants are not the right tooth replacement option for you.

Smoking

Dental implants have a very high success rate of up to 98%. However, if you use tobacco products, this can increase the likelihood of your dental implants failing. Fortunately, if you’re a smoker, you aren’t necessarily disqualified from the procedure, but it is important that you refrain from smoking for at least one week before and two months after your placement surgery. This is because smoking interferes with the healing process.

 Health Conditions

If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, your dental implants will be more likely to fail. This is because these conditions interfere with your body’s ability to heal which can mess with the osseointegration process. That is when the titanium implant fuses with your jawbone. Some medications can also increase your likelihood of a dental implant failure. It is important that you talk to your dentist about any medications you are taking.

Dental implants are a popular and excellent choice for replacing your missing teeth, but they aren’t your only option. By talking to your dentist, together you can determine whether or not implants are the tooth replacement option for you.

About the Author

Dr. Corey Martinez earned his dental doctorate from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Currently, he is a member of the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation at his office in Alexandria, visit his website or call (765) 724-7729.