Most adults whose gums are in good health — and whose overall general health is strong — are good candidates for dental implants.
There are, however, some people who may not be. Please consult with your trusted local oral surgeon to further discuss specifics.
Are Dental Implants Right For Me?
Here are five reasons why a person may not be a good implant candidate.
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The person smokes cigarettes
Dental implants are generally fine for former smokers. If the candidate is continuing to smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, though, this procedure may not be the right call. There are a few reasons for this. One is that the extraction process — if one is necessary — will create an open socket that could be infected by the tobacco smoke. Exposure of an unprotected area in the mouth to carcinogenic elements in the smoke could increase the patient’s risk for mouth cancer. In such cases, it is advised to quit cigarettes completely before considering dental implant surgery. And really, it’s a good idea to quit smoking anyways!
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The person has diabetes that is not controlled by medication or injections
If the person is on a treatment regimen for diabetes or pre-diabetes, and is working with a medical professional to keep their blood sugar in check and under control, then this is likely not an issue, and dental implants would be fine. If the diabetes is not treated, however, then there is cause to consider advising against dental implant surgery. Unchecked diabetes causes unpredictable swings in glucose levels that can have deleterious effects on your health in many ways. Some of these effects could impact implant surgery.
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The person has had radiotherapy on the jaw or surrounding area
In talking about radiotherapy, we are referring to the types of therapies often used for cancers of the mouth or jaw. The radiation and high-energy rays used to combat cancer cells can make the jaw more susceptible to fracture. Any time the jaw is compromised in that way, we take caution in what we can recommend in the world of oral surgery. Each case is unique, certainly, but if you have had radiation therapy within a few years on that part of your body, chances are high that we would recommend against implants.
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The person has periodontal (gum) disease
This may be surprising to hear. Periodontitis and other gum diseases can cause adults to lose teeth. Often the solution to this problem involves getting dental implants. But there may be complications that would prevent us from being able to install these implants in the way we need to. We offer a free consultation, so if you have gum disease and want to pursue an implant option, we would be more than happy to meet with you, evaluate your situation, and advise you on the next steps.
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The person is under 18
Kids are frequently losing adult teeth. There is a multitude of reasons why a minor may lose teeth — accidents, falls, hockey games gone awry. But, alas, we cannot put in dental implants for someone under the age of 18. This is because the jaws are still growing at that age. The developing jaw may bond with the implant in the way it is intended, but the additional growth could cause the implant to shift and move out of alignment. Having an implanted tooth end up in the wrong position poses many problems. In many cases, dental implant surgery will be available for the patient at some point, but until the age of 18 their solutions must be orthodontic approaches rather than implants.
Compassionate Oral Surgery Care
Located in Wilmington Ohio, Wilmington Oral Surgery is worth the drive from anywhere in the Cincinnati area. Call our office at 937.382.8020, or use our contact form to set up an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.