How do I know if I am a good candidate for dental implants?

If you are interested in dental implants, it's a good idea to discuss it carefully with your dentist first. If you are in good general health, with a jawbone that can support an implant, this treatment may be an option for you. In fact, your health is more of a factor than your age. Patients should be medically evaluated before any implant surgery is scheduled. Patients either must have enough bone to support the implant, or be good candidates for surgery to build up the bone where the implant will be placed.

Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing after surgery. Patients with these issues may not be good candidates for implants. Using tobacco can also slow healing.

Consult your dentist about whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Dental implants may be an option for you whether you have lost one, several, or even all of your teeth, as long as you are healthy overall, your gums are strong and disease-free, and you have enough jaw bone to support dental implants. Your commitment to good oral hygiene may be another factor that your dentist considers. The success of your implant procedures will depend at least in part on how well you care for your new teeth and gums and how carefully your dentist monitors the health of your mouth.