If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants are the best possible way to replace them. Not only will dental implants restore your smile, but they will also protect the health of your teeth in the future, preventing bone loss and keeping your overall facial shape intact. Dental implants function just like normal teeth and can be crafted to seamlessly match your smile.
One of the best things about dental implants in Rancho Mirage is that almost anyone can benefit from them, but that’s not what everyone has been told. There are some common reasons why people might have been turned away in the past, but don’t actually stop you from getting dental implants.
Basic Qualifications for Dental Implants
You must meet a few basic qualifications in order to be a candidate for dental implants. For example, you must have:
- Enough bone left at the site of your missing tooth to support an implant
- No periodontal (gum) disease
- Strong overall health
- No bruxism (teeth grinding)
Being in good health is especially important. Conditions like diabetes or osteoporosis can compromise the results of dental implants. Additionally, if you smoke, we strongly recommend that you quit before having dental implants placed. Smoking can drastically interfere with your mouth’s healing process, which is the most important factor in a successful dental implant procedure.
Osteoporosis and Medications
Many times people think that if they have osteoporosis, it means they don’t have enough bone density to support dental implants. Other times, it’s osteoporosis medication that makes people think they can’t get dental implants. But the truth is that neither of these is necessarily a barrier to getting implants.
We’ll evaluate your bone density and your medications to determine whether you can get dental implants or not.
Smoker
Smokers have a much higher risk of dental implant failure than nonsmokers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get dental implants, especially if you’re a former smoker who’s recovering.
We’ll talk to you about your smoking habits and let you know the risks, including whether implants are a good idea for you.
Gum Disease
If you lost your teeth due to gum disease, you might have been told that you can’t get implants to replace them, that’s because dental implants are at high risk for infection, but having a history of gum disease doesn’t mean you can’t necessarily get implants.
With close and careful management, we can protect your dental implants from gum disease.
Diabetes
Many diabetics were turned away from dental implants because diabetes makes it harder to keep gum disease away.
But now new research suggests that diabetes–even uncontrolled diabetes–doesn’t necessarily increase your risk of implant failure.
Age
It’s thought that dental implants were right for people who were advanced in age, especially the elderly. While it’s true that some risks may increase (such as gum disease), overall the risk of failure is the same for dental implants placed in elderly patients and younger patients.
So, really, you’re never too old for dental implants.
Denture Wearers
Although it’s true that denture wearers can lose bone necessary to support dental implants, dental implants are often better than traditional dentures for people who have lost a lot of bone in their jaw. True, it’s best to get your implants as soon as possible after tooth extractions, but even if you’ve been wearing dentures a long time, you can likely still get implants.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants in Rancho Mirage?
Really, there’s only one way to know if you’re really a good candidate for dental implants: talk to a dentist.
If a dentist told you that you’re not a good candidate for dental implants, let Dr. Strober evaluate you. We will let you know if you’re really a candidate or not. To schedule an appointment with a Rancho Mirage implant dentist, please call (760) 832-7915 for an appointment at Country Club Dentistry.
