Dental implants are one of the best long-term options for addressing tooth loss. An implant will help restore your smile, but implants are also an excellent option to bring back functionality. This procedure effectively acts as a permanent solution, making it preferable over options that may not fully restore your tooth or require special care and hygiene.

However, you may have also read that dental implants come with some requirements, and many patients fear their oral health may make them poor candidates. While certain prerequisites are necessary to ensure a good outcome for dental implants, you are likely a good candidate for this procedure even if you have other oral health issues.

How Does Oral Health Affect Dental Implant Outcomes?

Strong bone structure is a key requirement to support good long-term outcomes for dental implants. A typical dental implant consists of the post, abutment, and prosthesis (or crown). The post is the part of the implant physically inserted into your jaw, while the prosthesis is the functional and aesthetic tooth on top. The abutment acts as a connector between the two.

Long-term success relies on the post integrating with your natural jawbone. This process is known as osseointegration, and it's the most important part of the procedure to ensure a long-lasting and safe implant. Osseointegration requires sufficient healthy bone material, so severe bone loss around the missing tooth can potentially impact the procedure's outcome.

What If You Have Bone Loss or Other Oral Health Issues?

The good news is that many patients are good candidates for dental implants, and bone loss alone isn't enough to rule out a successful procedure. In many cases, dentists can graft additional material onto the bone. This step can help restore some of your lost bone material, providing sufficient support for a successful implant.

More importantly, oral health issues often aren't severe enough to rule out dental implants, even without bone grafts. Many patients with various oral health issues can still benefit from dental implants. Even patients who lost teeth many years ago may still be eligible for an implant procedure, so you shouldn't allow long-term tooth loss to dissuade you from an evaluation.

Why Are Dental Implants Such a Good Option?

Dental implants are worth considering even if you have other oral health issues because they offer so many benefits. In particular, implants can help slow or stop bone loss from missing teeth, helping you avoid much more serious dental health problems. Implants can also be more comfortable than other options, making them feel more natural and functional.

Ultimately, implants are an excellent option for many patients, and you shouldn't be afraid to consider them just because you may have other existing dental issues. Replacing your lost tooth or teeth with an implant and committing to a long-term dental hygiene routine can be an excellent way to improve your overall health while restoring your smile and confidence.

For more information on dental implant procedures, contact a professional near you.