SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, CA
Dental implants are a quality tooth replacement option for a permanently missing tooth solution. With an appearance and functionality like your natural tooth, dental implants can fully restore your smile. A surgically placed titanium post stimulates the jawbone, similar to your tooth root, and anchors the dental crown that matches the natural color and shape of your surrounding teeth. Unfortunately, some patients may not qualify for dental implants due to lifestyle choices, health conditions, or oral health complications. Today, our Scotts Valley dentists who offer dental implants at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry share on the blog who qualifies as a dental implant candidate and why other patients could require different treatment options.
General Qualifications
Multiple factors accompany the overall decision to approve dental implant oral surgery. Dental implant treatment is a permanent decision made by an adult at least 18 years old. Patients seeking dental implant oral surgery should be in overall good health to prevent complications and implant failure. One such condition, smoking, can cause implant failure as the nicotine in cigarettes can impede the healing process, but smoking does not mean automatic implant disqualification. Our Santa Cruz implant dentists discourage patients who receive head or neck radiation treatments from dental implants.
Your current oral health condition is crucial to dental implant success. Implants require healthy jawbone levels to support the implant and biting forces. Therefore, patients who want dental implants should ensure proper oral care to avoid gum disease development, which can substantially cause your jawbone to weaken or lead to implant failure. Although gum disease is not necessarily a preclusion, our dental implant dentists in Los Gatos recommend treating your gum disease before proceeding with dental implants.
Jawbone Qualifications
Your jawbone is the dental implant’s primary stability source. Our Scotts Valley implant dentists explain that patients with deteriorated or diseased jawbones may experience implant failure. Fortunately, bone augmentation or a bone graph, ridge expansion, or sinus lift by an experienced oral surgeon could render possible implant success. Once the jawbone is strong, only then can dental implant placement occur.
Dental Implant Decision
Replacing your missing tooth is a critical step in protecting your oral and overall health and appearance. However, the decision is personal and should require the professional opinion and monitoring of a board-certified Santa Cruz implant dentist during treatment for the best results. Choosing and qualifying for dental implants can lift dietary restrictions, increase your confidence, and may help save money on future dental visits. However, if dental implants are not right for you for some reason, our team can help restore your bite with other cosmetic procedures such as a bridge or dentures.
Dental Implants in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California
The embarrassment felt when missing a tooth can cause irreversible emotional damage, especially when the tooth is in a prominent location. With dental implants, you can restore your smile’s look and function while remaining discreet about your treatment. If you would like to know more about smile restoration in Los Gatos or how to get dental implants in Scotts Valley, feel free to contact Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry at (831) 438-4411 or schedule a consultation today to get started on your new smile journey.
