Dental implants have come a long way since they were officially introduced to the world of dentistry. Today, there is no tooth replacement option quite like them thanks to their aesthetic beauty and exceptional functionality. However, many patients believe that because they weren’t eligible for dental implants in the past, they still won’t be eligible today. According to your dentist, getting dental implants in Ponte Vedra Beach is still possible.
Thanks to multiple treatments, your dentist can improve your odds of a successful implantation from the start.
How Does a Dentist Determine My Eligibility?
When determining your eligibility for dental implants, your dentist focuses on three main characteristics. They include:
- Gum Health
- The amount of bone in your jaw
- Your commitment to daily brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings.
If these three prerequisites are met, then you’re already on the right track. However, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants in Ponte Vedra Beach if you’re a heavy smoker. Smoking and using tobacco products reduces your mouth’s ability to heal properly, a function necessary for successful implantation.
Additionally, you may not be a good candidate if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have received high dose radiation treatment to the face or neck
- Have a chronic disease or systemic problem (i.e. hemophilia, uncontrolled diabetes, significant immune deficiencies, or a connective-tissue disease)
- Your jawbone has not finished growing
In some cases, patients who were told previously they weren’t eligible for dental implants should revisit the idea, as certain treatments can help restore more bone to certain areas of the mouth.
What is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a surgery designed to add bone to your upper jaw where your molars and premolars are located. Since more people have been getting dental implants in recent years, it’s become increasingly common to have sinus lifts performed.
Essentially, your dentist moves your sinus membrane upward to make room for bone. This bone is placed in between the jaw and maxillary sinuses, which are located on both sides of your nose.
What is a Bone Augmentation?
A bone augmentation is a process used to rebuild bone structure. When we’re talking about bone in the mouth, we’re referring to the alveolar bone structure, which is responsible for integrating and holding your dental implant securely. For patients who lost significant bone to periodontal disease or simply wore a denture for many years, this is quite common.
To rebuild bone, your dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach performs a bone graft. This involves taking healthy bone from either a separate healthy area of your jaw or from a donor and placing it on your existing bone, so it can effectively regrow. By the end of treatment, you should have enough for a successful implantation.
Has your hope for getting dental implants in Ponte Vedra Beach rekindled? Schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. Eric L. Townsend earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. Since then, he’s become a member of the North Florida Implant Continuum, completed hundreds of hours in post-graduate education on placing and restoring implants, and completed many cases for patients. To learn more about implants or about his practice, contact him at (904) 285-7711 or visit his website.