Dental Implant Candidates: Factors to Consider

If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants can help enhance your quality of life by restoring functionality, oral health. and aesthetics to your teeth and smile. Dr. Ernest Robertson uses the latest technology and techniques to determine if patients are dental implant candidates during in-depth consultations at his New York, NY, practice. Some of the factors that Dr. Robertson will review with you involve being in good overall health, a non-smoker, and having adequate jawbone tissue. To review your candidacy with Dr. Robertson, schedule your consultation today.

Dental Implants Basics

Dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts that are surgically placed in your jawbone to serve as tooth roots. These posts are a strong foundation for fixed or permanent replacement teeth, such as crowns or dentures. Typically performed as an outpatient surgery, dental implants are placed and restored in stages over the course of several months.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

One of the most important factors for being a candidate for dental implants is having ample jawbone tissue. In the prolonged absence of tooth roots, the jawbone will begin to atrophy, or shrink. Implants require adequate bone tissue for stability. However, if it is determined during your evaluation that you do not have an adequate amount of jawbone tissue, a bone graft might be an option.

Patients considering implants should be in good overall health, should not have periodontal (gum) disease, and must be willing to undergo two surgeries, with three to six months of healing time in between.

Dental implants are not recommended for those with chronic diseases or systemic problems, including uncontrollable diabetes, connective-tissue disease, hemophilia, or immune deficiencies. Patients taking medications that suppress the immune system, such as steroids, and women who are pregnant may not be good dental implant candidates.

Additionally, if you grind or clench your teeth, Dr. Robertson will review treatment options with you, since teeth grinding can place excessive pressure on the implants.

Evaluating Your Jawbone

We will evaluate the condition of your jawbone using a cone beam scanner. If you have waited to address missing teeth, your jawbone may have atrophied. In this case, he may recommend a bone graft procedure, which involves transplanting donor tissue to your jaw.

Once the bone graft has been placed, your body will go through a process called guided tissue regeneration. During this process, your body will generate bone tissue, and that tissue will integrate with the graft.

For patients who only require a minor bone graft, this procedure can sometimes be completed at the same time as the implant surgery. More extensive grafts may require up to nine months of healing time, prior to the dental implant being placed.

Contact Us Today

Trained at the Misch International Implant Institute™, Dr. Ernest Robertson is a leader in the field of implantology. He strives to provide comprehensive dental care, that helps keep your smile both healthy and attractive. To learn more about dental implants and if they are right for you, contact us today.