Dental Implant Candidates

Dental implants are widely considered the superior treatment for adult tooth loss. Dental implants are the only restoration to address the loss of both the roots and crown of a tooth. Dental implants fuse with the patient’s jaw to provide better stability and greater durability than any other tooth loss treatment.

While dental implants offer numerous benefits, treatment could fail if the patient is not an ideal dental implant candidate. Dr. Jean E. Barthman, whose dental practice serves the Redwood City, CA, area, discusses the characteristics considered when determining if dental implants are the right treatment choice for her patients.

General Dental Health

Before any restorative dentistry treatment, it is essential to consider the patient’s overall dental health. Dental implants require a healthy foundation to thrive. This includes healthy gum tissues. Complications such as infection or gum disease do not disqualify a patient as a dental implant candidate. However, these types of issues need to be treated before a patient can proceed with a dental implant procedure.

Jawbone Density

Jawbone density is one of the most important considerations for dental implant candidacy. Dental implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone. Following dental implant surgery, the implants are intended to fuse with the bone tissues in a process called osseointegration. This enables the implants to essentially become a part of the jaw. If a patient has experienced bone degeneration, osseointegration may not occur and dental implant treatment could fail.

As with other oral health complications, poor bone density does not automatically rule out dental implants. Patients can undergo a bone graft to rebuild the jaw prior to dental implant treatment. If a patient is not interested in a bone graft or is not a suitable candidate for a bone graft, they need to consider alternate tooth loss treatments.

Oral Hygiene and Habits

When considering dental implants for her Redwood City patients, Dr. Barthman must take into account their oral hygiene practices and general oral habits. These have an effect on the short- and long-term success of dental implants. Dental implant patients must practice good oral hygiene habits, including regular brushing and flossing. They should also avoid poor oral habits, such as nail biting, using the teeth as tools, and bruxism (grinding and clenching the teeth).

Tobacco Use

Osseointegration is key to dental implant success. This process is dependent on the oral tissues healing around the dental implants in a timely manner. Smoking, and the use of other tobacco products, can impede and slow down recovery following dental implant treatment. Because of this, patients must be non-smokers to be considered ideal dental implant candidates or be willing to give up tobacco use in the weeks leading up to and following dental implant treatment.

General Physical Health

A patient's general physical health must also be taken into consideration when determining dental implant candidacy. Certain diseases and illnesses, such as autoimmune disorders and uncontrolled diabetes, can interfere with surgical recovery and increase the risk of dental implant failure. Dr. Barthman carefully considers her Redwood City patient’s medical history and current health when deciding if dental implants are a suitable treatment option.

Contact Us

Dental implants are a strong, durable, and comfortable replacement for missing teeth. If you have suffered adult tooth loss and would like to know if you are an ideal dental implant candidate, Dr. Jean E. Barthman would be happy to perform a dental examination. To get started, send us a message online or call our dental practice at (650) 367-4967.