Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants? Factors That Influence Eligibility

While a bridge or partial denture could provide an aesthetic restoration, these will not function like natural teeth. The only restoration capable of functioning like a natural tooth is a dental implant.

While dental implants can help a lot of patients, they aren’t right for everyone. The eligibility criteria for dental implants is quite strict as the procedure is very complex. It’s important to consider potential risk factors, as there is the potential for the implant to fail.

If you have invested a lot of time and money into a treatment, the last thing you want is for the implant to fail because of an avoidable issue.

In this guide, we’re exploring the eligibility criteria for dental implants so you can better understand how dentists assess patients. While some of these obstacles will mean the end of the road for your implant journey, others can be overcome through additional treatments or lifestyle changes.

Oral health and gum disease

The first thing your dentist will explore is your current oral health. You need to have healthy gums and surrounding teeth to be a good candidate for implants.

This is because you need to be committed to taking good care of your teeth after your implants are placed. Good oral health prior to treatment is a good indicator that you will continue these behaviours after treatment.

Gum disease is one of the biggest risk factors for dental implants. It can lead to a condition called peri implantitis, which can cause the implant to come loose. So, if you already have active gum disease, you will need to commit to getting this under control before you can move forward with treatment.

Jaw bone density

You need to have sufficient jaw bone density to support the implant. If you have been missing a tooth for a long time, there is the risk that your jaw bone will have shrunk in this time.

Osteoporosis will also put you at a higher risk of a loss of bone density. While this might delay treatment, it doesn’t have to prevent it entirely. A bone graft will help to increase the density of the jaw bone and provide sufficient support for your implant.

Lifestyle factors

During your consultation, you will be asked questions about your lifestyle choices, including whether or not you smoke, vape or use tobacco products. Smoking and vaping puts you at higher risk of implant failure, so you’ll need to quit smoking and commit to making this a permanent lifestyle change if you want to be a good candidate for dental implants.

Smoking puts you at increased risk of developing an infection in the socket that holds your dental implant. This could lead to implant rejection if left untreated.

Medications and health history

Your medical history will play a role in determining if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Certain medications and treatments, including radiation treatment to the face and jaw could rule you out as a potential candidate for implants.

How does a dentist decide if you are a candidate?

It’s important to remember that a dentist will determine if you are a suitable candidate for them, not a suitable candidate in general. This means that one dentist could reject you, only for another one to take on your case.

Your dentist is looking at the risk factors and trying to determine how likely it is that the treatment will be successful. All dentists want a high success rate, so they will turn down any patients if they do not feel confident in the treatment plan.

Going overseas for this treatment can be risky, as the dentist might not have the same concerns about risk and success rates. This means they might take on cases that are likely to fail because they know that they won’t have to deal with the outcome.

If you have been rejected for dental implants, it’s important to ask why. This can help you to determine if it’s worth asking for a second opinion, or if there are changes you could make to your lifestyle that would make you a suitable candidate in the future.

For example, you could commit to taking better care of your teeth and visit a dental hygienist to get your gum disease under control. After a year, you could return to the dentist to see if they deliver the same assessment.

Alternatives to dental implants

If you are not a suitable candidate for dental implants for any reason, you don’t have to give up hope for a restoration. Other treatments are available to help you to feel more confident and to restore your smile.

• A dental bridge can replace one or two teeth, with the artificial teeth supported by the surrounding teeth. This is a cost-effective, reliable and fast way to restore your smile. This treatment will typically last for around 10-15 years before it will need to be replaced or restored.

• A partial denture can replace multiple teeth, supported by a base plate or small metal clips that clasp onto the surrounding teeth. This is a removable restoration that can help to restore some function to the jaw. However, the force of your bite is absorbed by the gums, which means some foods may be off limits.

Final thoughts on dental implants

This is a highly effective treatment plan that is revolutionising the dental care sector. Patients are given a second chance at having their natural teeth with a restoration that looks, feels and functions just like the real thing.

If you’re curious about whether you could be a suitable candidate for dental implants, get in touch with our team to book your initial consultation. We’ll explore your history and check on the health of your teeth, gums and jaw to determine if you could benefit from the dental implant procedure. Book today.