Am I a Candidate for Implants?
 If you are missing one or several teeth, we at Oral and Facial Surgery Center are able to provide dental implant surgery to help restore the function and aesthetic of your mouth.
Dental implants have revolutionized dentistry since they allow us to replace missing teeth without damaging any healthy, natural teeth.
Who is a Candidate For Dental Implants?
Most people are good candidates for dental implants. A jawbone with low bone density is strengthened and stabilized by placing implants. Properly selected candidates have a success rate of about 95 percent.
Here are a few things that make a person a good candidate for dental implants:
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Healthy Gums: One of the criteria for dental implants are healthy gums. Dental implant surgery has to be delayed if you have active periodontal diseases as it can damage the gum tissues and the bone structure surrounding the implant. This can result in implant failure.
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Sufficient Bone Density: You need to have healthy jawbone density, which can support the implants. People who have missing teeth or have been wearing traditional dentures for a long time experience bone resorption. These people will need to have bone grafting surgery to augment their jawbone before the implant can be fixed.
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Commitment for Oral Hygiene: Daily brushing and flossing of your teeth is essential. Although the implant itself cannot decay, its surrounding soft and hard tissue can, which can lead to implant failure. Routine dental checkup appointments should also not be missed. |
Contraindications For Dental Implants
There are certain factors which can delay or prevent dental implant surgery.
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Age: Dental implant surgery should be delayed for people under the age of 18 since their jawbone is still growing.
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Pregnant Women: Pregnant women undergo dramatic hormonal changes. These changes can make their gums and teeth more prone to bleeding, decay, infection, and periodontal diseases.
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Heavy Smokers: The nicotine in tobacco has been known to prevent adequate blood flow. Additionally, smoking results in the development of fibrous bone tissue, which prevents osseointegration, resulting in implant failure.
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Alcoholics and Drug Abusers: Excess alcohol consumption and drug abuse are linked to several health issues, including oral health problems. Substance abuse does not just hinder treatment but also results in tissue necrosis. These people are also not likely to take care of their teeth and gums.
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Cancer Patients: Radiation on your head and neck can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, making it unable to support implants.
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People with Chronic or Autoimmune Diseases: People who have chronic diseases like uncontrolled diabetes, HIV/AIDS, hemophilia, and connective tissue disorder have compromised immune systems. Such patients do not heal quickly, leading to complications after implant surgery.
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People Undergoing Organ Transplant: People who are undergoing organ transplants are also given immunity-suppressing drugs that prevent healing and increase the chances of infection. These are also not good candidates for dental implants.
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People Who Grind Their Teeth: People who habitually clench their jaw or suffer from bruxism can exert a great deal of force on their implant. This can cause the implant to dislodge from its position or fracture it, which can result in implant failure. |
Most of these people can still get an implant if they resolve some of their issues or if the conditions they are facing are not very severe. Dr. Ardoin and Dr. Kennedy can evaluate you to determine if you can have dental implant surgery.
Once you lose a tooth, your jawbone will begin to get absorbed into the body. The sooner you get an implant, the sooner you can stop the bone loss and improve your overall health. To schedule an appointment, call us at 337-443-2533 for our Lafayette location or 337-381-3663 for our Opelousas location today. |
