Missing Teeth

Do you want to replace a lost tooth (or teeth) due to injury, tooth decay or gum disease?

Or perhaps you’ve been wearing a denture and now want a more secure solution?

Dental implants could be the answer.

Whether you want to replace one, a few or all of your teeth, there’s an implant treatment option to suit, from single dental implants to implant-supported bridges and implant dentures to a full arch restoration with All-on-4.

But first, you may be wondering: ‘Am I a good candidate for dental implants?’

In this article, we’ll explore who is a candidate for dental implants and who is not a candidate for dental implants. Keep in mind this information is a general guide only — to determine your suitability for dental implant treatment, you will need to see your dentist for a personal assessment. Book your implant consultation at Illumident here.

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Are you a candidate for dental implants?

To put it simply, if you’re:

1. An adult
2. Missing (or soon to be missing) one, a few or many teeth
3. In good health for surgery
4. A non-smoker

Great news! You’re likely a good candidate for dental implants.

Suitable candidates for dental implants can vary in terms of their cause of tooth loss and their need for dental implants as a tooth replacement solution. Below is a rundown of the types of patients we typically see for dental implant treatment at our Mount Gambier dental practice and Port Fairy dental practice.

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Patients with tooth loss due to injury

If you have an adult tooth that has been accidentally knocked out due to injury or trauma, your emergency dentist will likely try to save your natural tooth first if possible. However, in cases where the natural teeth are severely damaged or cannot be replanted successfully, dental implants may be recommended. Typically, a temporary denture would be worn while the tooth socket has time to heal from the trauma before the implant can be placed.

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Patients with tooth loss due to decay

If your tooth or teeth are severely decayed and cannot be restored with further treatment like fillings, root canal therapy or dental crowns, they may need to be extracted. In these cases, dental implants may be a suitable tooth replacement option, provided you can commit to a good oral hygiene routine in future. Dental implants don’t decay, but they do need a healthy mouth and gums to ensure their long-term success.

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Patients with tooth loss due to gum disease

If you have lost teeth due to advanced gum disease (periodontitis), you may be a suitable candidate for dental implants. However, you will need to undergo gum disease treatment to get your gums back to good health first.

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Patients who have been wearing dentures

At Illumident, we see many traditional denture wearers or partial denture wearers who are ready for a more secure, comfortable and lifelike tooth replacement. Unfortunately for long-term denture wearers, jaw bone loss is inevitable. This is where the jaw bone recedes over time, causing the face, lips and cheeks to sink inwards. It can also make wearing dentures more difficult, as they lose the bone support needed to hold them in place. These patients are usually great candidates for dental implant treatment. However, if bone loss is severe, bone grafting may be required before the implant procedure.

Who is not a good candidate for dental implants?

While most patients are suitable candidates for dental implants, there are a few key factors that may affect a patient’s eligibility for this treatment. Read on to explore these eligibility factors in detail.

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What factors affect your suitability for dental implant treatment?

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Age

Tooth loss can happen to anyone at any age. And for the most part, age is no barrier to receiving dental implant treatment. However, if a child or teen loses an adult tooth due to injury, it may be recommended that they wait until they are older and their bones are fully formed before undergoing implant treatment.

Poor oral hygiene

A commitment to good oral health is crucial for the success of dental implants. A good oral hygiene routine, paired with regular check-ups with your dentist for professional cleaning and maintenance, will ensure your dental implants and gums stay healthy for many years to come. Therefore, if a patient cannot commit to optimal oral hygiene moving forward, they are not likely to be a suitable candidate for dental implants.

Smoking

‍If you are a smoker, this does not exclude you from getting dental implant treatment. However, if you’re unable or unwilling to quit, it’s important to understand that smoking can significantly increase the risk of implant failure. It can also affect your body’s ability to heal after surgery.

Pregnant or breastfeeding

‍The hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect your gum health and increase the risk of gum disease. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you wait until after your baby is born and/or after you’ve stopped breastfeeding before undergoing dental implant treatment.
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Jaw bone loss

‍If you’ve had missing teeth for some time or have been wearing dentures, you may have some jaw bone loss. This happens when the jaw bone does not have a natural tooth root or dental implant to stimulate bone growth and starts to recede. If the jaw bone loses too much height, width and density, it will not be able to support the implant. Bone loss does not necessarily exclude you from getting dental implants, but, depending on the severity, you may need bone grafting before the dental implants procedure. Many patients with bone loss have gone on to become good candidates for dental implants after bone grafting treatment.

Untreated gum disease

‍Untreated gum disease can cause inflammation and lead to jaw bone loss, putting you at a high risk of implant failure. If a patient has active gum disease, dental implant treatment is not recommended until the condition is treated and well-controlled.

Certain medical conditions

There are some medical conditions that may affect your suitability for dental implant treatment because they can impair the body’s healing process. These conditions may include:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Heart conditions
• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Blood clotting disorders

If you have any of the above conditions, don’t be disheartened. Speak to your dentist about how it may affect your suitability for dental implant treatment or if there are alternative treatment options you could consider.

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Are dental implants right for you? Here’s how to find out…

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‍The best way to determine ​​your candidacy for dental implants is to come in and see us for a personal consultation with Dr Holmes. During this appointment, we will assess your overall dental health, discuss your eligibility for dental implants and talk you through all suitable treatment options and finance options. To book your consult, simply fill out our contact form or call our Mount Gambier practice on (08) 8725 2441 or our Port Fairy practice on (03) 5568 2577.