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Having missing teeth replaced quickly is important for several reasons. The longer you wait to replace a missing tooth, the more damage the surrounding teeth are likely to sustain. Neighboring teeth are more likely to shift if the gap where the lost tooth used to be stays vacant. But most importantly, your gums and jaw bone health depend on having healthy, integrated tooth roots. The only way to simulate a missing root from a lost tooth is with a dental implant. Anatomy of a Dental Implant Dental implants are made up of a false tooth, usually a porcelain crown, attached at the base to a titanium post that is implanted directly into the jaw bone. Titanium is used in most dental implants because it is a relatively stable metal and has high compatibility with your natural jaw bone tissue. In fact, after a titanium post is inserted into a bone, the bone will grow around the titanium, making it more secure. This process is called osseointegration and is necessary for a successful dental implant. Contraindications However, not all individuals are likely to experience successful osseointegration. You may not be considered a good candidate for dental implants if you display any of the following contraindications: • Poor jaw bone health
• Insufficient jaw bone material or density
• Periodontal disease (gum disease)
• Poor overall health
• Smokes cigarettes
• Abuses drugs or alcohol Each of these conditions puts a patient at risk of failing to heal properly after dental implant surgery, making it unlikely that the dental implant will be able to support a false tooth. However, none of these conditions is irreversible. If your jaw bone is too fragile to support a traditional implant, a bone marrow transplant or subperiosteal implant may provide the stability necessary. If you have gum disease, you can undergo treatment to regain the health of your gums. Criteria for a Good Candidate The ideal candidate for dental implants has: • Reached adulthood and is no longer experiencing growth in bone structure
• Missing tooth or teeth
• Healthy jaw bone and gums
• Not smoked for 4-8 weeks prior to surgery
• Realistic expectations for dental implants If you meet the above criteria, or would like to know if you do, the next step is to contact a qualified cosmetic dentist for a consultation. Your cosmetic dentist will check your oral health and discuss the possibility of dental implants or provide you with alternative options if you are not a good candidate for implant dentistry. You can learn more about dental implants and other cosmetic dentistry procedures available in the Morristown, New Jersey, area by visiting the website of the implant dentists at Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville today.
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