According to the American College of Prosthodontists, an estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and approximately 40 million are missing all of them. This can cause people to feel less confident in their smiles and can also lead to a range of oral health issues. Fortunately, dental implants can fill in the gaps and keep your smile healthy. Though these sturdy, titanium posts are an excellent way to once again enjoy a complete set of pearly whites, there are a few things that can keep you from getting them. Read on to learn what they are!
Issue #1. Inadequate Bone Density
Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone so they can fuse with it through a process called osseointegration over the next four to six months. If your teeth have been missing for a while, you may have suffered bone loss in the jaw due to a lack of stimulation. Your dentist will take X-rays so they can determine if your jawbone is dense enough to support implants. If it isn’t, they may recommend a bone graft to build up enough structure to proceed with the surgery.
Issue #2. Unhealthy Gums
To access the jawbone, your implant dentist will need to make an incision in the gums. For this reason, it’s important that they’re healthy before you proceed with treatment. If you have gum disease or another oral health issue, your dentist will need to treat it before you have the implants placed.
Issue #3. Lack of Good Oral Hygiene
Improper brushing and flossing can cause oral health issues like gum disease and cavities to develop. This can lead to jawbone erosion, gum recession, loose teeth, and tooth loss. As previously mentioned, a weak jawbone can’t support dental implants, which will cause them to fail. If you want to qualify for treatment, make sure to keep your mouth healthy by brushing twice per day for two minutes. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen your pearly whites and a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent enamel damage. Additionally, floss before you go to bed each day to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth.
Issue #4. Use of Tobacco Products
Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products makes you more likely to develop a range of oral health issues, including gum disease, cavities, dry mouth, and even oral cancer. It’s important to cut this bad habit out of your life if you’re interested in getting dental implants. If you need help quitting, ask your dentist, therapist, or doctor for resources.
As you can see, there are several things that can disqualify you from being a good candidate for dental implants. Make sure to take good care of your teeth and refrain from bad habits so you can be on your way to a healthier, happier smile!
About the Practice
With the talented Las Vegas team at Summerlin Center for Aesthetic Dentistry, the gaps in your grin that have made your confidence take a hit will soon be a thing of the past. They offer high-quality dental implants to complete your smile and perform the procedure in-house so you can enjoy a full set of pearly whites sooner rather than later. Call Summerlin Center for Aesthetic Dentistry at (702) 240-0400 or visit their website for more information on dental implants or to schedule an appointment.