You’re constantly thinking about your missing teeth. Whenever you talk, eat, or brush, you’re always reminded about the gaps in your smile, so you finally decide to do a little research about how to get them replaced. You keep reading about dental implants and how they are one of the best solutions currently available, but you also see that not everyone is a good candidate for them. Why not? How does this apply to you?Today, Dr. Mark Fried is going to talk about why you may (or may not) be ready to get dental implants in Framingham.
The first part of understanding who would benefit from dental implants is to know a little more about them. Dental implants are used to help a person restore their missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single tooth, anchor a bridge, or even support a set of full dentures. They involve one or multiple titanium posts being surgically implanted into your jaw. This has numerous benefits over traditional restoration methods that only work above the gum line.
Firstly, this new root helps provide the type of hold and security only matched by a natural tooth. It also supports the jaw from the inside and stimulates blood flow to the surrounding gums and bone, helping ensure your long-term oral health. Aesthetically, implants are typically topped with porcelain restorations, which means you get teeth that are reliable day to day and also look completely natural.
Now that you know a little more about what dental implants are used for and how they work, the question still remains, what would make you a good candidate for them?
When you come into our office to get dental implants, the first thing we will do is give you an evaluation. I, Dr. Werman, or Dr. Shih will examine the state of your mouth, jaw, and gums, as well as take a variety of digital scans and x-rays. This will enable us to create an accurate model of your dental structure so we can decide if dental implants are right for you.
The first requirement is that a patient needs enough healthy jawbone to support the implants. This is not always the case for people with an extensive amount of tooth-loss, but a bone graft can be used to help augment the jaw to provide enough support.
A patient also needs to have healthy gums. Someone who has advanced gum disease or receded gums would not be a good candidate because this would add unnecessary risk during their placement procedure. In this case, your gums would need to be treated before you could get implants.
The last thing you need is a commitment to taking care of them. They only need routine brushing and flossing just like regular teeth, but this (along with consistent dental visits) is essential to help them last for decades.
Dental implants would not be the right approach for people who are pregnant, abuse substances, or have pre-existing conditions that would endanger them during their placement procedure (such as uncontrolled-diabetes, hemophilia, and certain immuno-deficiencies). This will all be discussed during your evaluation, and your doctor will advise you on other tooth replacement options if dental implants would not be right for you.
Dental implants have helped more and more people replace their missing teeth over the past few decades, and your dentist in Framingham will always make sure they are the best solution for you before beginning treatment.
If you have any questions about dental implants or want to know if you are a good candidate for them, please give us a call today.
To help you get started, we even offer free consultations for new patients!
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