Do You Need Enough Bone for a Dental Implant?
Dental implants rely on the jawbone for support, so the amount and quality of available bone are important considerations.
Bone can gradually change after a tooth has been lost. Previous gum disease, infection, trauma, and other factors can also affect the amount of bone available for implant placement.
If there is not enough bone in the planned implant area, a bone graft or another preparatory procedure may sometimes be recommended. Not everyone who receives an implant needs bone grafting.
Dental imaging allows your provider to evaluate the area and determine whether additional treatment may be necessary before or during implant placement.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Many adults with missing teeth can be considered for implant treatment, but suitability needs to be assessed individually.
Healthy gums and adequate bone support are important. Your general health, medications, smoking or tobacco use, history of gum disease, oral hygiene, and ability to heal can also influence treatment planning and long-term success.
Certain health conditions do not automatically rule out implants, but they may require additional consideration or coordination with your healthcare provider.
A dental implant assessment is the best way to determine whether implants are appropriate for your situation.
How Do You Care for Dental Implants?
Dental implants cannot develop cavities, but the gums and bone surrounding them still require regular care.
Plaque can accumulate around an implant restoration just as it does around natural teeth. Without adequate cleaning, inflammation can develop in the surrounding tissues and potentially affect the implant’s support.
Daily brushing, cleaning between the teeth and implants, and regular dental examinations and professional cleanings are important for maintaining implant health. Your dental team can recommend cleaning techniques based on the type of implant restoration you have.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are intended to provide a long-term tooth replacement option, but no dental treatment can be guaranteed to last for a specific number of years.
Longevity depends on factors such as oral hygiene, gum and bone health, smoking, bite forces, general health, and regular dental care.
It is also important to distinguish between the implant and the restoration attached to it. An implant may remain stable while the crown, bridge, or denture it supports eventually requires maintenance, repair, or replacement.
Dental Implants Compared With Other Tooth Replacement Options
Implants are one option for replacing missing teeth, but they are not the only option.
Dental bridges can replace missing teeth using neighbouring teeth for support, while partial or complete dentures provide removable tooth replacement. Each approach has different advantages, limitations, treatment requirements, and costs.
The best option depends on your oral health, the number and location of missing teeth, the condition of your remaining teeth and bone, and your personal priorities.
Explore Your Tooth Replacement Options
Replacing a missing tooth involves more than filling an empty space. Your dentist will consider your gums, bone, bite, remaining teeth, and long-term oral health when discussing your options.
If you are missing one or more teeth, contact our dental team to learn whether dental implants or another tooth replacement option may be appropriate for you.
