Are You A Good Candidate For Dental Implants

Everyone wants a nice smile which is why if you have a missing tooth or teeth you might want to consider dental implants.

When replacing missing teeth you do have several different options available such as dentures or a bridge, but you will find that implants have the most natural looking durable results.

But are you a good candidate for dental implants? If you have good oral health with healthy gums and bone then there is a very good chance that you'll be able to get implants. You must also be committed to taking good care of your teeth and gums from here on out. This means regular flossing and cleanings as well as practicing good daily brushing techniques.

Smokers have a lowered success rate with implants, the reasons for this is that smoking can impede healing in the mouth. So if you are a smoker there is a very good chance that the procedure may not work for you. For the same reasons someone with heart problems or diabetes may also have problems with implants. But depending on the severity of your condition you may still be able to get the implants.

These are some of the things that your dentist will go over with you during your initial appointment. You can expect this appointment to be quite lengthy as they will take several x-rays of your mouth before going over the results with you and discussing your options.

You can expect some swelling and tenderness is to be expected afterwards and your dentist will most likely prescribe some type of pain medication at this time. But you should also be able to go back to work the next day. For several days afterwards you will most likely be advised to eat only soft foods.

Failing to take proper care of your implants is leading cause for implant failure. So it's very important that you are very diligent about your brushing and flossing. It's also important that you avoid smoking after implant surgery as this is also a cause of high failure rates.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last
With proper care your implants should be able to last you a lifetime. But this really depends on how well that you take care of them, and after all of the money that you've spent not to mention the pain and suffering to get your smile back why wouldn't you do your best to make sure of the success of your dental implant procedure.

Depending on where you live the cost for a single implant can rang from approx. 1,200 - 3000.00 dollars. And because they are considered to be a cosmetic procedure your insurance company usually won't pay for it, which means that ultimately you will be responsible for the cost.

Some dentists offer an extended payment plan this is usually funded by a third party, much like a credit card and offers affordable monthly payment plans that you may be eligible for.