Am I a Candidate? - Lakewood, CO
Your Missing Smile Deserves Honest, Expert Implant Care
Whether you’re just starting to look into getting dental implants or have done research and are still on the fence, our team will help you make an informed decision. Although dental implants. in Lakewood, CO, are undeniably the most durable and versatile solution for restoring smile gaps, they may not be the best option for everyone. For instance, ideal candidates for dental implants should have no signs of oral infections or periodontal disease and must have adequate bone density.
Since most people with missing teeth already have bone loss, this is the most common oral health issue that needs to be addressed before getting dental implants. At Touchstone Dental Implant Center, we have the skills to resolve gum disease and treat bone loss with preliminary procedures that set a solid foundation for dental implant surgery. If you need to replace missing teeth and wonder if you qualify for dental implants, the odds are significantly in your favor!
Just as healthy gums are essential for healthy teeth, a soft tissue infection or inflammation can impede the dental implant process. Healthy gums are required to support dental implants and ensure they fully fuse with your underlying bone. Even if gum disease doesn’t cause implant failure, it can lead to longer healing times or the need for corrective procedures to reverse peri-implantitis and prevent failure. During your complimentary implant consultation at Touchstone Dental Implant Center, Dr. Justin Becerra will comprehensively assess your oral health to identify any underlying issues that may negatively impact the implant process.
Adequate bone is a crucial factor that significantly influences the success of dental implant surgery. When dental implants are surgically placed in an area with sufficient bone, this allows proper positioning and alignment and future placement of the restorative crown or prosthesis.
In contrast, inadequate bone volume can increase the risk of implant-related complications, including instability, mobility, compromised aesthetics, bone loss around the dental implants, and failure. Dr. Becerra is skilled in augmentation techniques to treat bone loss in Lakewood, CO, including ridge augmentation and sinus lifts that enhance the quantity and quality of the jawbone.
As a whole-body dental implant clinician, Dr. Becerra pays close attention to his patient’s medical health and assesses whether preexisting diseases hinder getting dental implants. A broad spectrum of systemic diseases can directly affect bone metabolism, wound healing, and, ultimately, the outcome of dental implant procedures. While the complete list of diseases is too extensive to include herein, the following are the most common ones that can pose a barrier to successful implant surgery. Uncontrolled diabetes is linked to bone graft failure, implant failure, and peri-implant disease. Therefore, proper glycemic control is required before undergoing dental implant surgery.
Studies have shown that hypothyroidism causes greater bone loss and a less favorable soft-tissue response after implant surgery, although it doesn’t dramatically increase the risk of failure. Osteoporosis results in poorer bone quality, making immediate stabilization of dental implants more challenging, while specific drugs to treat this disease may disqualify patients from getting dental implants. Last, radiation to the head and neck leads to detrimental effects on the jawbone, reducing wound repair and healing after surgical procedures.
Poor oral hygiene and lifestyle factors, including smoking and alcohol use, can impact implant surgery outcomes. Multiple studies have shown that smokers experience almost twice as many implant failures compared to nonsmokers, as well as a strong correlation between smoking and peri-implantitis and both bone grafting and implant failures.
As such, we recommend you quit at least several weeks before implant surgery and not resume until after your implants have fully fused. Drinking alcohol increases susceptibility to intraoperative and postoperative bleeding complications and decreased bone growth while increasing the risk of bone loss and implant failure. If you drink alcohol, it’s imperative to refrain for a minimum of two weeks postoperatively or until your incisions have closed.
At Touchstone Dental Implant Center, we feel privileged to improve the overall well-being of our patients through transformative implant treatments. We use advanced technology, skills, and a caring touch to restore broken, damaged, or missing teeth with state-of-the-art dental implants in Lakewood, CO.
We also understand that every patient who walks through the doors of our implant center has different needs—from preexisting health challenges to lifestyle factors that can get in the way of achieving an optimal result. We never follow a one-size-fits-all approach and offer various fully customized implant options to restore oral health and aesthetics. From making an accurate assessment of your gum, bone, and systemic health—to performing precision surgery—rest assured, your incomplete smile is in highly trusted and talented hands!
I Grounded My Teeth Down To The Nerves, It Was Painful
I Grounded My Teeth Down To The Nerves, It Was Painful
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