Whenever you bake something new or complex, it’s good to have a recipe on-hand so you know what you need in order to get delicious results. Your dentist has a “recipe” for success too. During your consultation, you’ll meet to discuss your candidacy for a dental implant restoration, but the process isn’t so much about qualifying or disqualifying you from treatment as much as it’s about making sure you’re well-prepared to support your new smile. Here’s everything that will be on their “grocery list”!
Commitment to Good Oral Health
That means continuing to practice good dental habits or, if necessary, working towards better oral health. Things like gum disease, low jawbone density, and poor dental hygiene significantly increase the risk of implant failure. You’ll have to commit to brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing once per day, visiting your dentist for biannual checkups and cleanings, and completing any preliminary treatments recommended by your dentist (such as gum disease therapy or bone grafting).
Effective Management of Chronic Illnesses
If you have a chronic health condition like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoporosis, it is possible to successfully receive a dental implant restoration – as long as you take care to manage your symptoms and work with your dentist to personalize your treatment plan. Just as an example, uncontrolled diabetes can cause inflammation and increase the risk of gum disease, both of which can jeopardize dental implants.
Mitigate Smoking & Drinking
Tobacco products are strongly associated with dental implant failure. The chemicals they contain slow the healing process, increase risk of infection, and can damage the jawbone and soft oral tissues that help keep dental implants in place. Heavy alcohol consumption, meanwhile, can prevent healthy blood clots from forming after dental implant surgery and, over time, cause jawbone loss.
It’s not easy to quit either of these habits, and rest assured, your dentist knows it. They won’t judge the “ingredients” you have or don’t have for achieving a successful treatment. As your dental implant “sous-chef,” they simply want to support you with proper planning. So please be honest about your lifestyle habits – it’s in your best interest!
Conclusion
The important take-away here is that even if you’re not a good dental implant candidate at first, your dentist can help you become one by improving your oral health and personalizing your treatment plan to account for chronic illness or less-than-ideal habits. The best way to know for sure whether a dental implant restoration is right for you is to schedule a consultation!
About the Author
Dr. Donna Kiesel has over 35 years of experience in dentistry and has completed advanced training courses through Spear Education. She and her top-notch team will make sure you have everything you need for a successful dental implant treatment, including the best specialists for implant surgery. To schedule your consultation and discuss your dental implant candidacy with Dr. Kiesel, call 972-420-4488.