Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

There are 120 million Americans who are missing one or more teeth, and that number is growing tremendously year after year. Dental implants have become a revolutionary solution to replace missing or damaged teeth. Dr. Kosinski will make sure your health gets put first throughout your oral restoration process.

The Characteristics of a Successful Dental Implant Candidate

Like many other procedures conducted by doctors and dentists, there are certain characteristics that ensure your procedure will have the highest chance of success. For dental implants, dentists look for:

1. Patients should be missing one or more teeth.
2. Patients should have healthy gum and jaw tissue. Healthy tissue allows the implant to heal properly and stay firmly attached to the jawbone after the procedure.
3. Patients should have good overall health. Adequate overall health ensures better healing and fewer problems after the procedure
4. Patients should be willing and able to follow their doctor’s instructions after their surgery.

Who are the Less Preferred Candidates for Dental Implants?

Some patients that might not do well with dental implants are women who are pregnant, diabetics, children who have not developed full bone growth in the jaw, patients with serious underlying health conditions, patients undergoing cancer treatment, smokers, patients with uncontrolled gum disease, and patients with substance abuse problems.

Many doctors and dentists look at each patient and their total circumstances before deciding if they will successfully heal from insertion of dental implants. If you’re not a good candidate for dental implants, check out our supplemental procedures for a possible alternative treatment option best for you.

How Do I Get Started?

The best place to start is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosinski at our Bingham Farms office. This will allow us to examine your mouth, take x-rays, and talk about your health history. If you are a good candidate for dental implants, our goal is to ensure you feel safe and comfortable through every step of your restoration process.

Patients should also do all they can to prepare themselves for oral surgery. Here are some additional tips to prepare yourself:

• Avoid bad oral habits. Despite the temptation, do not chew on hard items, like ice, writing utensils, or hard candy. Avoid tooth-staining tobacco and caffeine products. Seek treatment first if you grind your teeth or have signs of decay or gum disease.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Just as with your natural teeth, you will need to keep your implants, artificial teeth, and gum tissues clean.
• See your dentist regularly. Schedule dental checkups every six months to one year to ensure that your real teeth and implants stay clean and healthy.