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Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants? Portland OR While we all dread losing our teeth, tooth loss can occur from diseases and injuries beyond our control. This can threaten your confidence and oral health, necessitating corrective action. One of the remedies to tooth loss is dental implants and knowing if you are a candidate is vital before consideration. At Hunter Dental Care, our dentists will help you establish if you qualify for a dental implant and walk the journey with you.The Best Candidate for Dental ImplantsOne of the ways to tell if you are a candidate for dental implants is if you are missing one or more teeth. Tooth loss from injury or disease will make you explore temporary or permanent solutions for a quality life. If unattended, a missing tooth can harm several aspects of your health. For instance, your chewing ability will deteriorate, your facial structures will collapse, and you will be more prone to other oral risks. Denture-tired patients may also want to switch to dental implants as a permanent solution. Good Oral HealthBefore undergoing dental implant surgery, you should maintain good oral and overall health. Good oral hygiene includes brushing and flossing with the right products and maintaining regular checkups. You should also be free from gum disease and other infections, which could hinder the healing process. Since the procedure involves cutting through the gums to place the implants, an existing infection will decrease the procedure's success rate or extend your recovery process. However, if you visit our offices, you need not worry about undiagnosed gum disease; we will assess you and recommend treatment. Age LimitDental implants are a permanent procedure requiring enough jawbone support and are unadvisable for young patients who do not have full growth of all their adult teeth. Undertaking this procedure on very young patients who will likely undergo oral development may hinder the success of the implant. Hence, seek consultation before scheduling the procedure if you have a child with a missing tooth. Seniors who are tired of dentures become candidates after expressing dissatisfaction with the dentures. Dentures are effective but inconvenient; for instance, a patient with dentures must remove and soak them regularly. Dentures also pose embarrassing risks to patients as they can easily slip from the mouth. To deal with these frustrations, an implant is necessary. Older patients who have had dentures for years may experience bone resorption, so grafting will be necessary before placing an implant. Sufficient JawboneA healthy jawbone is necessary for a successful dental implant. The jawbone is prone to resorption with years of wearing dentures or taking too long before acting on a tooth loss or tooth extraction, leaving the gap empty with no stimulation. Non SmokerSmoking cigarettes and tobacco can inhibit the healing of a dental implant. The result is a risk of implant failure. It is advisable to stop smoking before receiving a dental implant, but you should always notify us of your status for further advice. Evaluation for Dental ImplantsA dental implant is an outpatient procedure that takes up to 12 months to complete. Once you visit our offices, we will verify that you meet the necessary requirements as an ideal candidate for dental implants by examining you further. We will check the health of your gums, teeth, and bone density since a dental implant requires your bone density to be stable enough for good support. The first examination of your missing teeth will be to establish why they are missing. Our team will check if your gums are in good health or under stress and inquire about your oral care routine. You need good jawbone support because jawbone health is a significant factor in dental implants. If an implant is put on low bone mass, it can loosen from chewing, causing complications. Fortunately, technological advances make it possible to reinforce the jawbone through grafting. You need not worry about your bone mass, especially if you have been wearing dentures for years or took a long time before considering a dental implant after tooth loss. We will do a mouth x-ray and CT scan to establish the state of your bone mass and check your sinus shape and nerves. This way, it becomes easier to develop an accurate treatment recommendation. An evaluation of your medical history will also establish how well your implant will heal and fuse to the jawbone. What to Expect During a Dental Implant ProcedureThe dental implant procedure will happen in stages. Our professionals will sedate you on your first appointment after evaluation and open your gums to expose the jawbone. They will then drill small holes where they will place the implants. These metals act as your tooth root, which will later attach to the dental crowns. After the first surgery, it will take several months to allow your jawbone to grow around the implants, a process called osseointegration. Once the jawbone fully supports the implant, we will add the abutment as the next piece on your second appointment. It may take about two weeks for your gums to heal, after which you will return for the artificial teeth placement. Before placing the artificial teeth, we will take your teeth impressions around the gap and create the artificial tooth or dental crown. We will help you determine whether to get a fixed or removable crown and place it in position. After the dental crown placement, you can start your recovery journey. We will prescribe some medication to ensure comfort during recovery. Learn more about the benefits of dental implants. Contact Our Portland Dentist for Dental Implant SolutionsAs you establish whether you are a dental implant candidate, dental implants are definitely the best permanent solution for tooth loss. They are natural and unnoticeable and will restore all of your tooth functions and quality of life. You will also be able to eat the foods you like and smile confidently. Contact Hunter Dental Care at today if you are in need of a dental implant or visit our dental implants faq page to learn more. |
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 Location1739 NE 122nd Ave Portland, OR 97230-1914 HoursMondays & Tuesdays: 7 AM - 3 PM Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8 AM - 5 PM Fridays: Closed |
