Dental Implants – Are They Right for Everyone?

Generally, everyone is able to get dental implants. However, there are some exceptions, such as patients with chronic conditions. If you have chronic conditions such as diabetes or leukemia, you should be medically evaluated by a physician before getting dental implants. Patients must also have enough bone density in the jawbone before getting dental implants.

Who can get dental implants?

Patients who are healthy enough to get oral surgery are healthy enough to get dental implants. Patients must have good oral hygiene to allow for a successful recovery from the surgery to place the dental implants. Patients who do not have good oral hygiene should spend some time developing good habits before deciding whether or not dental implants will be a good fit for them.

Individuals who smoke should consider quitting before getting dental implants. Smoking can prevent the implant from properly fusing to the jawbone. This can result in a failed implant and the dentist will have to redo the entire surgery.

Bone grafting

In some cases, patients will not have enough bone density in the jawbone to support the implants. In other cases, the bone will be too soft to properly support the force that the implants will take. If this is the case, the implant could severely damage the jawbone when it is used. The good news is that patients can still get dental implants even if there is not enough bone density in the jaw.

A bone graft is a surgical procedure where the dentist or oral surgeon takes some bone and attaches it to the patient’s jawbone. The bone may come from another part of the patient’s body or be a synthetic material. The patient will receive medications to encourage bone growth.

Over time, the jawbone will gradually fuse with the bone graft. This process can take up to several months, depending on how much bone is needed to be grafted. Once this process has finished, the patient will be able to undergo the surgery to place the dental implants. However, in some cases, the patient will be able to have the bone grafting procedure at the same time that the implants were placed.

Caring for the implant during healing

After the screw has been placed in the jaw, the patient will need to take care of the area to prevent an infection. This includes rinsing the mouth with saltwater to help kill bacteria. Patients should very gently brush the teeth, avoiding the site of the surgery for the first 24 hours. Patients should avoid using mouthwash.

Visit a dentist today

There are some factors that can impact your ability to get a dental implant, including smoking and low bone density in the jawbone. However, there are ways that you and your dentist can work together to come up with the right solutions. For example, changing your oral hygiene habits and quitting smoking are both ways that you can improve your chances of getting a successful dental implant.

Request an appointment here: https://gallodental.com or call GDC Smiles at (770) 504-5725 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.

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