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Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are widely considered to be the most effective option for replacing missing teeth, as they look, feel and function just like natural teeth.

Can implant surgery work to fix the gaps in your smile?

Good Candidate for Dental Implants

You’ll need to consult with one of our experienced oral surgeons to know for sure. But generally speaking, just about anyone can get dental implants.

Factors that Affect Dental Implant Healing

As long as you’re in reasonably good health and your jaw has finished growing, you should be able to get tooth implants. However, some factors can prolong your recovery period.

Some chronic conditions can affect the healing process. So if you suffer from diabetes, osteoporosis or leukemia, for example, you may have a longer recovery time after implant surgery. Because certain health concerns may call for extra precautions to encourage proper healing, make sure to give us all the details of your medical history.

Smoking and drinking can also delay the healing process and increase the risk of infection after implant surgery. For a smoother recovery, you’ll need to stay away from tobacco and alcohol for as long as possible after the procedure.

Bone Structure and Dental Implants

Tooth implants need ample support and structure in the jaw to be successful — integration with healthy, strong bone is what gives these replacement teeth lifetime stability.

So before scheduling implant surgery, the oral surgeon will check your dental X-rays to make sure you have adequate jawbone tissue.

Bone loss in the jaw won’t prevent you from getting tooth implants. However, you’ll probably need to get a bone graft first. This is a simple outpatient procedure that takes only about an hour.

What Are Your Options for Implant Surgery?

If you don’t need a bone graft, you may be a candidate for the teeth-in-a-day procedure. With this method, you’ll get replacement teeth in just a few hours. Once healing is complete, about a month later, we’ll swap out the temporary crowns for permanent ones.

When bone loss has occurred, placing dental implants usually involves a series of steps over the course of several months. This standard surgical approach may also be recommended for patients with certain health conditions.

Both types of implant surgery can provide you with a natural-looking, beautiful smile. Dr. Maxfield or Dr. Partridge will explain your options and recommend the best method for restoring your missing teeth.

The professional team at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah are specialists in tooth restoration and implant surgery. Contact one of our three convenient Salt Lake City area offices today to schedule an appointment to learn more about dental implants.

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