Who Can Benefit From Dental Implants?

Best Dental Implants Candidates

Dental implants can be a smart choice for adults of all ages, whether you were born without a tooth or have had teeth removed due to a traumatic injury, infection or tooth decay. They can also be an option for adolescents once facial growth and development has been completed. Generally, this growth is completed at about age 16 for females and age 18 for males.

Do Dental Implants Replace Missing Teeth?

When you have a tooth extraction, you are left with an empty socket. The part of the bone surrounding your previous tooth will start degenerating and weaken over time if you do not have anything to support it. Gradually, your jawbone can decrease in size and lose its overall density, potentially leading to an array of problems. To keep your bone from deteriorating, you can have dental implants placed to provide support for the missing tooth and surrounding bone.

For patients who are missing teeth, the missing tooth gap can cause neighboring teeth to shift crookedly towards the gap, pulling your teeth out of normal position, affecting your ability to chew, your bite, and your appearance. It can lead to interference that makes it harder later on to get a tooth replacement. A poor bite could also cause problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which could lead to headaches and jaw pain.

Can You Get Dental Implants if You Have Gum Disease?

For patients with gum disease, there are several benefits to having dental implants placed. Problems can develop when natural teeth are surrounded by an empty socket where you previously had a tooth. The teeth can be exposed to bacteria that could result in decay. In addition, the socket can provide bacteria with a point of entry to get into your gum tissue. This can lead to gum disease and inflamed tissue that is very painful and detrimental to your oral health.

Can Dental Implants Help Your Facial Appearance?

For patients wishing to prevent premature aging and bone loss that comes from missing teeth, dental implants provide stability and prevention of facial sagging. The lower part of your face begins collapsing, slowly closing the distance between your chin and the tip of your nose. Changes can include extra mouth wrinkles, a more pointed chin, and thinning lips, which can make you look older than you really are.

Before you make any decisions about how you are going to have your natural teeth replaced, talk with Dr. Forcioli to see which treatment option is best for your personal goals. He will take the time to evaluate your specific dental anatomy and discuss several important factors to a healthy outcome. If dental implants are a good option for you, it could benefit your oral health in ways that other replacement options may not be able to provide.