If you are missing teeth, your restorative options are more diverse than ever before. Along with traditional bridges and dentures, consider dental implants. Once surgically placed in your jawbone, these titanium posts will integrate with your bone tissue. In this way, they will replace your tooth roots and form a solid, durable base for a custom-made dental restoration.
At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, both our Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbor locations are equipped with the latest technology. Our tools include orthopantomography and cone beam CT scanners. With this digital imaging, Dr. Arpit Pathak can accurately determine your candidacy for dental implants. If you qualify for treatment, these tools will also allow your dentist to create a unique surgical plan with minimal discomfort and recovery time.
Contact us to find out if you are a candidate for treatment.
The Number of Teeth You Are Missing
Whether you are missing one, several, or all of your teeth, dental implants may be an option. One implant can support a single crown. Two or more can uphold a bridge. You can even receive a full upper and/or lower denture. The number of implants you will need for a full denture will depend on the anatomy of your mouth.
Your Jawbone Structure
Once you have lost even one tooth, your jaw will start to recede very quickly. This can often lead to additional tooth loss, and it can change the contours of your lower face.
Significant jawbone recession can also compromise your ability to receive implants since you must have enough tissue to support the titanium posts. Fortunately, in many cases, a surgical bone graft can replace missing tissue and enable you to undergo further treatment.
Your Periodontal Health
Gum disease can also compromise your candidacy for implants. When you struggle with advanced periodontitis, your gums can start to recede and pull away from your tooth roots. If you have implants, gum recession will also affect the stability of the implant posts.
Gum disease is quite common. Fortunately, many people with periodontitis will still qualify for implants. The disease must be under control, and you must be committed to maintaining good periodontal health. Your dentist may recommend treatment, such as scaling and root planing, before proceeding with implant surgery.
Your Physical Health
Certain health conditions can affect your ability to receive dental implants. One of the most worrisome conditions is diabetes, since it is widely publicized that diabetes can lead to implant failure. In fact, it’s only uncontrolled diabetes that is a concern. Studies show that diabetic patients with healthy HbA1c levels are just as likely to enjoy implant success as non-diabetic patients.
Other concerning health conditions include auto-immune diseases, blood clotting disorders, and cancer. Be sure to discuss your health history with your dentist at your implant consultation.
Your Lifestyle
Finally, to qualify for implants, you should be committed to good oral hygiene and habits. This includes daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular dental cleanings. Smoking is a major contributor to implant failure and complications. If you smoke, it won’t automatically disqualify you from dental implants, but for best results, you should commit to quitting before your surgery.
Contact Us to Learn More about Dental Implants
Book your consultation at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre today.
Reach us online. You can also call our Woolgoolga location at (02) 6654-0650 or our Coffs Harbor office at (02) 6652-3242.
