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6 Factors That Impact Dental Implant Eligibility
Are you on the fence about whether or not you need dental implants? If so, you're not alone! According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, about 3 million people in America have implants. That number grows by 500,000 every year! But are they truly right for you? Here's a look at the criteria that dentists use when deciding whether or not to fit someone with implants.
1. Mouth Health
Dentists start by gauging your oral health before installing an implant. Are your gums and teeth healthy enough for an implant? Are there any concerns for decay or gum disease? If there are problems, they'll treat those first before moving on to implants for your missing teeth.
2. Jawbone Strength
Over time, your jawbone may have lost some strength or density. For example, losing teeth can greatly damage the bone. What happens if you don't have enough bone for your implant? Well, your dentist may install bone around the area using a technique known as bone grafting.
3. Personal Health
Are you suffering from autoimmune disorders or even conditions like diabetes? You may want to discuss this sort of thing with your dentist. Your dentist will work with you and your primary care physician to come up with treatment.
4. Lifestyle
Do you regularly smoke and drink or take poor care of your teeth in general? Your dentist may not consider you a good candidate for an implant. Will quitting smoking and drinking help? Yes! Always ask your dentist for more information regarding implants beforehand.
5. Budget
Will your insurance pay for your implants or not? This is something that you should certainly talk to your insurance company and dentist about before proceeding.
6. Age
Can you really "age out" of getting implants? That depends on things like your overall health and your oral habits. Certainly, dentists won't give implants to very young children, so make sure you're of the right age before getting one.
Thankfully, getting
dental implants can provide you with the help you need to keep your teeth strong and healthy. If you think you're a great candidate, please contact us today at Raines Over The Rockies Family Dentistry to learn more about your options! How can we help you? We'll walk you through the implant process and highlight each step to ensure that you feel comfortable with this unique experience.
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