Determining Your Candidacy for Implants
When you’ve decided to undergo dental implant surgery, Dr. Kovacevic will evaluate the strength of your existing teeth and gums to determine whether your mouth is durable enough to handle these restorations.
A few factors he’ll focus on to determine your candidacy include:
- Jawbone Density: This supports the process of osseointegration, where your dental implants slowly fuse with your jawbone. To complete the implant placement, it’s necessary to have a sufficient amount of bone tissue.
- Gum Condition: Having strong gum tissue is necessary to support your implants. If you suffer from periodontal (gum) disease, it can negatively impact the success rate of your restorations being secured with the rest of your smile.
- Stable Oral Health: Your oral health should be in good condition before receiving dental implants. This can be improved by having a proper oral hygiene schedule, which includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash.
- Willingness to Follow Instructions: It’s important to listen to Dr. Kovacevic and our experienced team to ensure effective results. This includes practicing aftercare instruction and caring for your dental implants long-term.
What If I’m Not an Immediate Candidate?
Patients who have poor oral health may not immediately qualify for dental implant surgery, either due to poor gums or a weak jawbone. The good news is that you can improve the strength of your mouth here at our Greensburg office. Dr. Kovacevic and our staff can prepare you for dental implant surgery with our supplemental procedures.
With the help of these procedures, you can become a better candidate for dental implants and improve the success rate of maintaining these custom-made restorations. Dr. Kovacevic will inform you which procedure you may need to undergo to improve your oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I improve my candidacy for dental implants on my own?
Issues with dental implant candidacy are often caused due to the consequences of long-term dental issues such as receding gums and a weak jawbone. While having a proper oral hygiene regimen plays a large role in promoting the health of your smile, these types of issues can only be corrected with a supplemental procedure. The good news is that not only will these treatments improve your candidacy, but also your overall oral health.
Can smoking impact my candidacy for dental implants?
Smoking and tobacco use can negatively impact your oral health and whether you qualify for dental implants. Not only is it detrimental to your teeth and gums, but can also impact the recovery process after receiving dental implants. If you regularly smoke, it’s important to inform Dr. Kovacevic during your initial consultation to receive further instructions.
Does taking medication affect dental implant candidacy?
There are certain medications that can cause complications with your dental implants. For example, osteoporosis medication can lower the density of your jawbone and some antibiotics are known to increase the risk of implant failure.
Any medications that impact your immune system may also cause complications with recovery following a dental implant surgery. We recommend informing Dr. Kovacevic of any medications you are currently taking so that the appropriate steps can be taken.
Why is dental implant candidacy so important?
It’s important that you are considered an ideal candidate for dental implants. If not, this could decrease the success rate of your custom fixtures. Having issues such as low bone density and weak gums won’t provide your implants with the necessary stability they need to stay secured with the rest of your smile. That’s why Dr. Kovacevic will have to check off on whether your smile is ready for dental implant surgery.