Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants in Arlington?

You may have heard a lot about dental implants. Dentists often recommend them as the best way to replace missing teeth since they offer so many long-term health benefits. Plus, they look beautiful and are easy to care for. Dr. Gray works as part of a team that will help patients replace missing teeth. He will work with a specialist to plan and coordinate placement prior to surgery. After an oral surgeon or periodontist places the implant, Dr. Gray will make the final restorations. But who is eligible to undergo this potentially life-changing procedure? If all of the following are true of you, you may be an ideal candidate for dental implants in Arlington.

You Are Missing One or More Teeth

Dental implants are a versatile tooth replacement option. If you are missing a single tooth, your dentist can use a single implant, topped by a single crown, to fill in the gap and complete your smile. If you are missing a few teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge may be perfect for you.

Even if you’re missing all or most of your teeth, implants may still work for you. When you visit your dentist, they’ll evaluate your situation and create a strategy for how to place the implants. The goal is to be as minimally invasive as possible while still ensuring that your new teeth have the strong base of support they need.

You Are in Fair Oral and Overall Health

For your implant surgery to be a success, it is important that you do not have any severe oral health issues. For example, gum disease can eat away at the bone around the implants and even lead to infection at the surgical site, which is why it is important that you be free of periodontal problems before you receive implants.

Your overall health comes into play as well. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or any illness that compromises your immune system may be a cause of concern for your dentist.

You Have Good Habits

If you care well for dental implants, it’s possible that they’ll serve you well for the rest of your life. They require that you maintain a clean mouth via brushing and flossing, and that you visit your dentist regularly for checkups. You may also have to use an antibacterial mouth rinse to reduce the risk of infection.

It’s also worth noting that certain bad habits, such as tobacco use, can seriously increase the risk of implant failure. If you smoke, your dentist may strongly urge you to quit before your journey to a new smile gets underway.

You Have Adequate Bone to Support Implants

Dental implants form a bond with your body, but for that bond to thrive, you must have adequate bone density and bone height in your jaw. If imaging scans reveal that your bone isn’t quite up to par, you may need a bone graft before your implant procedure.

Are you a candidate for dental implants? The only way to find out for sure is to visit your dentist for a consultation.

About the Dentist

Dr. James T. Gray is your friendly local dentist. He participates in the Implant Team International and truly enjoys helping his patients regain their smiles via dental implants. If you would like to discover how Dr. Gray can rebuild your smile, please contact our office at 817-460-4131.