Dental Implant Candidates By Danny O'Keefe D.D.S. on February 06, 2014

At Family Dental Care, cosmetic dentist Danny O’Keefe ensures patients receive dental care that is safe, effective, and comfortable by making use of the most advanced dental technologies. When it comes to addressing adult tooth loss for our Jackson patients, dental implants are the best treatment that we have to offer. This is the latest technique in restorative treatment and offers patients a secure, durable, and comfortable solution for missing teeth. Although it is one of the most advanced dental services, implant dentistry continues to evolve and improve. Thanks to these advances, almost any patient who has suffered from adult tooth loss is an ideal candidate for dental implants.

Am I a Candidate?

Dental implants are surgically placed titanium screws that fuse with the jaw bone and serve as anchors for dental restorations. Dental implants can secure dental crowns, dental bridges, or permanent dentures. Because of this, they are a possible solution for patients who have experienced any degree of adult tooth loss, from just a single tooth up to an entire arch of teeth. Ideally, patients who will undergo dental implant treatment should be:

• In good overall general health
• Have healthy gums
• Be free of oral health problems
• Have substantial jaw bone density
• Be committed to the proper care and maintenance of the dental implants

In order to ensure that the gums heal well and the implants properly fuse with the jaw bone it is also ideal for patients to be either non-smokers or to cease smoking for the duration of dental implant treatment.

What if I Lack Bone Density?

Dental implants do require ample bone density in order to properly support dental implants. However, a lack of jaw bone, a narrow jaw bone, or a shallow jaw bone does not necessarily exclude a patient from dental implant treatment. One option for patients with insufficient jaw bone is a bone graft. A bone graft involves taking bone from another area of the body and placing it in the jaw to promote new, healthy bone growth. This procedure can be performed before dental implant treatment begins.

For patients who are not good candidates for a bone graft, other options remain. There are now several types of dental implants that can be placed when there are problems with the jaw bone. These include a plate form implant and a subperiosteal implant. Dr. O’Keefe can discuss these options with those patients who are not ideal candidates for traditional dental implants.

What if I Have Diabetes?

Patients who have chronic diseases or systematic problems are generally considered poor candidates for dental implants because these conditions impede the healing process and increase the risk of implant failure. However, studies have shown that patients with controlled diabetes can still have success with dental implant treatment.

Request an Appointment

Thanks to the continued advances in implant dentistry, there are very few patients who are not good candidates for dental implants. If you have suffered from adult tooth loss, the best way to determine if dental implants are right for you is to meet with Dr. Danny O’Keefe to discuss your specific needs. Contact us at your earliest convenience to request an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!