What Makes Someone an Ideal Implant Candidate?

For those who have lost one or more teeth, the best solution for returning a smile to its former glory is often the installation of dental implants through the gums and into the jawbone, providing a sturdy artificial tooth that can go on for years without failure.

Before they can be placed, however, it has to be determined if a patient is an ideal candidate for a dental implant and that his or her oral health is up for the task. For instance, a patient must have healthy gums as well as enough available bone to anchor the implant onto the jaw. Patients who have had bone loss in the jaw can still eventually receive implants, but they must first undergo several procedures to help rebuild the bone.

Non-Ideal Candidates

On the other hand, there are specific cases where a patient may not be a viable candidate for one or more dental implants, some of which include the following:

·Pregnant women

·Young people with jaw bones that are still growing

·Heavy smokers—because smoking deters healing within the mouth and can reduce an implant’s success rate

·Substance abusers or alcoholics who aren’t prepared to obey their dentist's post-surgical instructions, which includes no smoking, return for a follow-up appointment, or maintain their implants through good oral health care.

·Patients who have systemic problems or chronic diseases, including connective-tissue diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, hemophilia, and serious immune deficiencies, but it may depend on the condition’s severity

·Patients who have had high-dose radiation treatments to the neck or head

·Patients who must ingest specific medicines, including steroids or immunosuppressants

·Patients who clench or grind their teeth significantly—because this could put the implants under too much pressure and increase their risk of failing

The Evaluation Process

Before patients can receive implants, their dentist must evaluate them thoroughly to determine if their oral health qualifies or disqualifies them. This process involves several players, including the dental specialist placing the implants (periodontist, oral surgeon, or standard dentist with implant placement training) and the restorative dentist (prosthodontist or standard dentist). The latter makes the bridges, dentures, or crowns the implants will support.

The first step in this process is to schedule an appointment for evaluating a patient’s candidacy with one of these professionals, who will coordinate treatment with the rest of the implant team. The initial appointment includes an inspection of the teeth and mouth as well as a dental and medical history review. The patient will also have an x-ray and possibly a CT scan of his or her mouth, providing information regarding the shape and amount of the jaw bone as well as where the sinuses and nerves are.

During the last stage of the evaluation process, the dentist talks over a patient’s available options, including the procedure itself as well as the costs and any possible complications. A patient’s dental professional works with them to help develop a treatment plan that works best for them and their care.

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