If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’re not alone. About 30% of adults ages 65-74 are missing all of their natural teeth. The most common reason for tooth loss is gum disease, and 15%-20% of adults ages 33-44 have gum disease.
When you lose a tooth, there are many good reasons to replace it. Your ability to speak comfortably and chew your food properly are two. The fact that your other teeth can shift, potentially leading to additional tooth loss, is another.
At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood, Mississippi, Dr. Michael Nichols often recommends dental implants to his patients. However, not everyone is a good candidate.
If you have a chronic disease such as diabetes, you’re a smoker, or you’ve had radiation in the area of the missing tooth, an implant may not succeed. If that’s your situation, Dr. Nichols can suggest other tooth replacement options.
Here are five signs you may be a good candidate for a dental implant procedure.
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root. Dr. Nichols places a titanium post in your gum, against your jawbone. As your mouth heals, the bone bonds with the titanium post.
This fusion provides a sturdy base for the crown that he places on top of the post. It also serves to stimulate your jawbone, helping to keep it healthy.
We can’t place your crown until the bone has healed around the titanium post, and healing goes more smoothly and quickly if you enjoy good overall health.
Smoking is associated with tooth loss and also makes healing more difficult. You’re far more likely to heal quickly and be happy with your implant if you don’t smoke.
Bruxism is the medical name for tooth grinding. Grinding your teeth when you sleep can cause many problems. You may have headaches or jaw pain, and your teeth may wear down sooner than they would otherwise. People with bruxism often have cracked enamel or fractured teeth.
If you have bruxism and get a dental implant, it may not heal properly and may never become stable. Dr. Nichols can suggest treatments for bruxism, if necessary.
If you’re allergic to the titanium in the implant, your procedure is unlikely to succeed. You may experience various problems, including hives, eczema, and swelling in the area.
Dental implants aren’t a preventive treatment. You can’t get an implant if you think you might lose a tooth. But if you’ve already lost a tooth, an implant is the gold standard among replacement options.
And, if you’re missing all of your upper or lower teeth, Dr. Nichols offers All-on-4®. With this treatment, he needs only four implants to support a full dental bridge.
If you’d like to learn more about implants or other tooth replacement options at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
