Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Many people often wonder whether dental implants are a better option compared to the more traditional dental prosthetics. Others offer every reason under the sun as to why they cannot or will not visit a dentist for dental implants. Tens of millions of adults in the United States are missing at least one tooth, according to estimates. If you are one of these people, you may be wondering whether you are a good candidate for dental implants and if you should visit a cosmetic dentist in Arlington, VA.
 

Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

The effects of missing teeth can be more devastating than most people realize. Having one or more gaps in your smile can have negative consequences on your social success and confidence. It can also have negative effects on other people’s perception of you. Leaving the problem unaddressed can also lead to gum deterioration, bone deterioration, tooth shifting, and alteration of the shape of your face.
 

Instead of waiting several months or years to replace a missing tooth, you should do so immediately. This will save you from having to pay for expensive dental treatments in the future. Dental implants are a worthwhile investment because they often have a success rate of between 90 and 95 percent.
 

If you are looking for the best cosmetic dentist Arlington, VA has to offer, you are in the right place. If you want to learn more about dental implants and the factors that would make you a good candidate for the procedure, consider the following factors.
 

Most Patients Are Good Candidates for Dental Implants

Your dentist can replace all, one, or several teeth with dental implants. Instead of choosing dentures or bridges, you can go for dental implants. The best candidates are those at an age that their jawbone is no longer growing. They should also have healthy gums and enough bone to anchor and support the implants.
 

However, if you have lost some bone in your jaw, you do not need to lose hope. You may still be a good candidate for the procedure. In fact, the procedure may help prevent further loss of bone in your jaw. Your cosmetic dentist in Arlington, VA, can, in such a situation, rebuild bone using certain grafting techniques, which will be part of the dental implant procedure.
 

Are You Taking Any Medication?

You need to understand that certain drugs, unfortunately, are bad for dental implants. If you are on certain corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, or chemotherapy medication, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants. Also, according to some studies, if you take beta-blocks for blood pressure or a heart condition, you may not be a good candidate.
 

Poor Health

The dental implant procedure is quite involved. To increase its chances of success, you should be generally free of disease and healthy. This is because some illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, osteonecrosis, autoimmune disorders, and hemophilia, could affect the healing process. Some of these diseases can also cause dangerous infections afterward.
 

Ongoing Dental Problems and Lifestyle Habits

The ideal candidate for dental implants should not have ongoing dental problems. He/she should also be a person who maintains good oral hygiene. Gum disease, for example, can cause serious infections during and/or after the procedure. Some lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, or poor oral hygiene can affect the healing process as well. This is why such habits can make you a bad candidate for the procedure.
 

Overall, this procedure has a high success rate, and patients who visit Courthouse Art of Dentistry speak of how pleased they are with the results. To learn more about dental implants or book an appointment, call us at 703-260-9600. You can also pay us a visit at our offices at Arlington, Virginia.