Your Checklist Before Placing Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most effective way to recover from tooth loss. That’s because only dental implants recreate the root structure that makes your teeth so strong and stable. Other dental prosthetics can look the part and function well to an extent, but dental implants offer a complete restoration. So why would you choose anything else? Well, there are certain circumstances when dental implants won’t work for individuals. So, here’s a checklist for you before you have your dental implants placed.

Make Sure That Your Jaw Bone Is Healthy Enough

Tooth loss can be caused by a number of issues. Your tooth loss may be the result of a physical accident. In that case, your dentist will want to check and make sure that your jaw bone hasn’t suffered a substantial amount of damage either. Your jaw bone can be fortified by a dental implant, but it needs to be able to support that implant first. Your dentist will also check for signs of periodontitis. This advanced form of gum disease actually causes the degradation of your jaw bone. If you’re suffering from periodontitis, it can cause implant failure after surgery.

What Kind of Technology Is Your Dentist Using?

You should also consider the type of technology that your dentist is employing as they perform your dental implant surgery. Obviously, since it’s a surgical procedure, you’ll want to be sure your dentist is experienced and knowledgeable with the procedure. In addition to those qualifications, you also want to choose a dentist that uses advanced imaging technology during the planning phase. Advanced imaging allows your dentist to be more precise with the surgery, shortening recovery time and leading to a better implant angle. That ultimately leads to better function for your prosthetic.

What Is the Extent of Your Tooth Loss?

Another important factor to consider is the extent of your tooth loss. Tooth loss can affect a single tooth, or it can wipe out most of the teeth in your mouth. If you need to replace a significant number of teeth in your smile, this might require too many implants for your jaw bone to support. In that case, your dentist may be able to fabricate a denture or partial denture for you and support that prosthetic with dental implants. Using dental implants as anchor points, your dentist can create a prosthetic that is stronger and more stable than normal dentures.

ABOUT YOUR AUSTIN, MN, DENTIST:

Our team offers our patients and their family access to comprehensive dental care, including general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment with the Potach and Mitchell Dental Clinic, contact our Austin, MN dental office today by calling 507-437-6312. Our office welcomes patients from Austin, MN and surrounding communities.