We recommend dental implants for many patients because they offer a more complete restoration of a missing tooth. Unlike traditional dentures and bridges, an implant-based restoration addresses the consequences of tooth loss both above and below the gum line. Not only do they fill in the gap in your smile, they also replace the roots of teeth, preventing bone loss in the jaw. As New Jersey’s Premier Dental Implant Team All Under One Roof, Champagne Smiles has the expertise, knowledge, and technology to handle even the most complex cases, but there are still circumstances in which you may not be a candidate for dental implants.
The Ideal Candidate for Dental Implants
There are a few things we look for when determining if you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery. These include:
Good Oral Health
We want to maximize your chances of a successful outcome after dental implant surgery, so we never move forward with implant placement if you need other dental work or have active gum disease. It’s important to resolve these issues first.
Good Overall Health
While it is a minor procedure, getting dental implants is still a surgery and there are inherent risks involved. To minimize these risks, you should be in good overall health in order to be a candidate for dental implant surgery.
Sufficient Jawbone Support
During your consultation, Dr. Champagne will evaluate your jawbone to determine whether it has the density needed to support dental implants. Proceeding with dental implant surgery when the jawbone is compromised greatly increases your chances of dental implant failure.
Factors That May Disqualify You From Dental Implant Surgery
If you have any of these factors, you may not be eligible for dental implant surgery.
Tobacco Use
Smoking and using other tobacco products increases the chances of dental implant failure and infection after your surgery. If you smoke, you should quit prior to your procedure—and we mean quit for good, not just for a day or two after surgery.
Certain Health Conditions
While you don’t need to be in perfect health, you shouldn’t have any conditions that affect your ability to heal, your susceptibility to infection, or your tolerance of a minor surgical procedure.
Lack of Jawbone Support
As mentioned above, one of the key factors we look for is a healthy jawbone to support your implants. That said, it’s very common for some jawbone loss to occur after teeth are lost or due to periodontal disease.
Mini dental implants may be a potential solution in some circumstances, as they do not require as much bone support as traditional implants. For other patients, bone loss in the jaw may mean you’re not a candidate for dental implants at this time, but with bone grafting or a sinus lift, your bone structure can be restored so you can proceed with implant placement.
Learn More About Dental Implants in Monmouth County
Champagne Smiles streamlines the process of getting dental implants because we perform each step of the process at our practice. If you’re ready to start your journey to better oral health with Dr. Richard Champagne and a truly collaborative and compassionate dental team, contact Champagne Smiles in Morganville, NJ today to schedule your first appointment.
