Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Syracuse, NY
 If you need a single tooth replacement, several teeth replaced, or maybe all of your teeth, why not consider a dental implant? At Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS we are experts in placing dental implants and are happy to answer any questions you have about dental implants and why they may be a good solution for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants look like tiny screws and they are crafted out of titanium. They are surgically embedded into your jawbone. After the implant has fused with your jawbone, generally over a period of several months, we will place a connector, called an abutment, to your implant. Finally, a dental crown will be placed on top to complete your dental implant.
There are different types of dental implants, depending on your needs and how many teeth you wish to replace. These include single tooth dental implants, multiple tooth dental implants, and implant supported dentures as well as those with dental bridges.
Implant Supported Denture
Implant-supported dentures are a type of dental restoration used for patients with missing teeth. These are patients that have lost all of their teeth. Implant-supported dentures can also be referred to as snap-in dentures, and they can either be fixed or removable. First, we would insert the dental implants and allow them time to heal. Then, the lab that we work with at Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS will customize a set of permanent dentures for you.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge is a good solution for individuals who have three or more teeth in a row missing.
Am I A Good Candidate For a Dental Implant?
Dental implant procedures are becoming increasingly common. However, not everybody is a good candidate for the procedure. Before you are considered for a dental implant, you will require a medical assessment and examination of your jaw and mouth.
Issues that may present a problem include medical conditions, such as blood clotting disorders or diabetes. If they are well-controlled then you may still be able to have an implant, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
One of the common issues for patients wanting dental implants is bone loss in the jawbone. Bone loss occurs as a result of periodontal (gum) disease. The disease attacks the soft tissues and bone that keep the teeth in place. Once they have been destroyed by the disease, the teeth have nothing to hold them and they eventually fall out.
Unfortunately, for patients in this position, there is not enough to hold a dental implant either. The procedure can still be performed, but a bone graft must first be carried out to augment the jawbone and make it viable to receive a dental implant.
People who smoke are also not good candidates for dental implants because smoking impedes blood flow, which is required to provide nutrients and fight infection around surgical sites. The implant failure rate in people who smoke is considerably more than in the general population.
Contact Us to Find Out if You Are a Candidate for Dental Implants
Contact our experts at Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS to find out more about dental implants. Give our office a call at (315) 800-5020. |
