Dental Implant Candidacy
As we talked about previously on our What Are Dental Implants? page, dental implants are unique because they are anchored directly into the jawbone through a biological process called osseointegration. This healing process is detrimental to the effectiveness of the dental implant treatment.
For osseointegration to take place, patient’s jaws need to meet a certain specification before they’re able to get started on their implant procedure. Dr. Cooper wants your tooth implant procedure to succeed, which is why he will only start your treatment if he thinks you’re a good candidate for it. Otherwise, Dr. Cooper will recommend some supplemental procedures, in order to get your jaw bone healthy enough to receive an implant.
Our Ideal Dental Implant Candidate
During your initial appointment with Dr. Cooper, he’ll do an extensive analysis of your dental health to see if you’re ready for the placement. To determine whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment without any supplemental treatments, he’ll look at a number of factors.
For one, you’ll need to be in good overall health. You shouldn’t have any illnesses that will make you susceptible for infection or make it harder for your gums to heal.
Secondly, you will need to meet a certain age requirement. Dr. Cooper will make sure that your teeth aren’t in the process of changing and all of your adult teeth are set.
Third, if you’re a smoker, then you should be aware that the success of your dental implants procedure will be compromised. However, this factor alone won’t disqualify you from the treatment.
Lastly, if you’ve already undergone extensive bone loss or gum recession, then you might not be ready for implants. In the instance that you’ve undergone extensive tooth decay and jaw weakening, you can undergo supplemental treatments, like a bone graft, to get your jaw ready for implant placement.
Less Successful Candidates
While dental implants have a 98% success rate, we find that patients who fit these parameters are not good candidates for the treatment.
- Patients with radiation treatment to their head or neck
- Patients taking steroids or immune system suppression medication
- People with immune deficiency diseases, hemophilia, uncontrolled diabetes, or connective-tissue diseases
- Patients who abuse alcohol or other substances regularly
- Patients suffering from habitual bruxism or teeth grinding
- Pregnant women or people who are likely to become pregnant during the treatment
Dr. Cooper won’t necessarily disqualify your eligibility based on one of the above factors. Every patient is different, and your individual uniqueness will be taken into account before treatment begins. Make sure that you take note of your individual circumstances and conditions and communicate them to Dr. Cooper.
Supplemental Procedures
Dr. Cooper believes every patient should be able to get the smile of their dreams. With this in mind, Contemporary Dental Arts offers a variety of supplemental procedures dependent on the patient’s need for a successful treatment. For one, he offers platelet rich plasma, bone grafts, and bone augmentation. To learn more about his supplemental procedures, visit the bone grafting page.
Schedule a Consult, Become a Candidate
Don’t let a few minor setbacks in your dental health make you give up on the smile of your dreams. First impressions matter and your’s should include a smile full of beautiful white teeth. Let Dr. Cooper in San Jose, CA give you a permanent smile that will look, feel and function naturally. Get on the road to good dental health and call Contemporary of Dental Arts today.
