Considering Dental Implants? Questions to Ask Your Oral Surgeon
How long do implants last?
Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone where bone mass will anchor them permanently. When bone successfully integrates with dental implants, these prosthetics can last for decades and even for the rest of a patient’s life.
How do I care for dental implants?
Caring for dental implants is relatively simple. You will need to commit to receiving preventive oral healthcare on a regular basis and to practicing meticulous oral hygiene. Like teeth, dental implants are brushed and flossed daily. It is important that patients brush and floss properly to protect biological teeth and gums from disease that can threaten the stability of prosthetics as well as natural teeth.
Who makes a good candidate for dental implants?
The best candidates for dental implants are patients who have adequate bone tissue to support the implant’s titanium post and those whose gums are healthy. Patients should also be healthy enough to undergo and heal from oral surgery.
Can I still get implants even if I have lost bone mass?
If you have lost bone mass to osteoporosis, age, or because of oral disease, our team may be able to help. In some cases, patients with inadequate bone mass can improve their candidacy for dental implants by receiving a bone graft. Like other types of grafting procedures, a bone graft involves taking excess bone from a part of the body such as the knee or from a tissue bank to surgically graft over areas where the jawbone is not as dense as it should be.
If you have suffered with tooth loss, we recommend you call our practice to reserve a tooth replacement consultation with our caring team.