Our Surrey dentists often use dental implants to restore the appearance and function of patient's smiles. However, dental implants require surgery and aren't the best tooth replacement option for everyone. So, who is a good candidate for dental implants?
If you're considering replacing your missing teeth you may be wondering whether dental implants are right for you. Dental implants are a permanent and natural looking way to replace missing teeth, but for some of our Surrey patients dental implants may not be the best tooth replacement option.
In order to be a good candidate for dental implants the patient must have a strong, healthy jawbone and gums in order to support the surgically placed implants. For patients who have experienced bone loss due to a tooth abscess, or who suffer from oral health problems such as gingivitis, dental implants can be difficult.
If your jaw bone has been weakened, bone grafting can help make dental implants possible in some cases. When bone grafting is done, the surgeon takes a section of bone from a different part of your body, (or use a special bone grafting material), and grafts it onto your existing jaw bone.
Bone grafting can help to strengthen the jaw bone and make dental implants possible. However, it's important to note that following the bone grafting procedure, the jaw may take several months to heal well enough to begin the dental implant process.
If dental implants aren't a good tooth replacement option for you, other great looking options are available, such as a dental bridge or dentures.