Dental Implant Candidacy - Portland, OR

Assessing Your Suitability for Dental Implants

Most Patients Are Dental Implant Candidates

Most of the patients we see at We Fix Smiles in Portland, OR, are qualified dental implant candidates. Almost anyone with missing and/or decaying teeth is a candidate for this type of corrective oral surgery. However, the best dental implant candidates are generally patients in good overall health, with substantial bone density in the jaw. Since dental implants are permanently anchored into the jawbone, you need a strong foundation to place the titanium implant post(s).

These posts act as anchors for the custom-designed restoration teeth. In some instances, however, patients with missing teeth for years will not be candidates for dental implant surgery. This is because tooth loss leads to accelerated bone loss in the jaw. When there isn’t enough healthy bone in the jaw to support an implant, dental implant surgery is not an option unless supplementary treatments, such as bone grafting, are first carried out. It is also important to note that quality dental implant candidates have little to no gum infection, decreasing the chances of successful osseointegration.

You Can Qualify Even if You Have:

Your Candidacy for Dental Implants Requires a Thorough Evaluation

Before determining who is a good candidate for dental implants, our acclaimed implant expert Dr. Anton Conklin will need to conduct a thorough oral examination during a consultation visit. In addition to taking detailed images of your mouth using advanced technology such as CBCT and intraoral scanners, Dr. Conklin will assess the following factors that affect dental implant candidacy:

Gum Health

For dental implant candidates to be suitable for implant surgery, there needs to be little to no soft tissue inflammation of the gums present. Inflammation is a major deterrent to successful osseointegration of the implant(s) with the jaw. Additional procedures may be needed before dental implant surgery if bacteria or inflammation is present.

Bone Volume

Similar to gum health, the patient’s maxilla (jawbone) must be in good health with substantial bone tissue to accept dental implants and achieve successful osseointegration. Insufficient bone volume can lead to implant failure or complications, as the implant may not integrate securely into the jawbone. Evaluating bone volume ensures enough structural integrity to support the implant, resulting in a stable and long-lasting tooth replacement solution miming natural teeth’ function and appearance.

Systemic Conditions

If you have a systemic condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or Crohn’s disease, the feasibility of dental implants may be compromised. This is primarily because these conditions can hinder the body’s immune response, reducing the likelihood of successful osseointegration – the crucial process of the implant fusing with the jawbone. Inadequate osseointegration can result in implant failure or complications. Therefore, a thorough assessment of your systemic health is vital to determine the suitability of dental implant surgery and to ensure the best chances of a successful outcome.

Physical Health

Your overall physical health is a significant factor when evaluating your candidacy for dental implants. Good physical health promotes a robust immune system, which is important in successfully integrating the implant with the jawbone. Underlying medical conditions or medications that compromise overall health can affect the body’s ability to heal and respond to surgery, potentially influencing the outcome of the dental implant procedure. Therefore, a comprehensive physical health assessment is essential to ensure you can undergo the surgery and achieve a successful and lasting result.

Am I A Candidate?

We Fix Smiles Creates Tailored Solutions Designed for You

Your oral health is the priority at We Fix Smiles. Our goal is to get your diagnosis right the first time, and we gladly offer second opinions if you’ve been told you are not a candidate for dental implant surgery. We also offer personalized consultations for every patient who walks through our doors, and we consider every patient’s case on a unique individual level.

We believe a crucial step of any implant treatment is understanding what you want from your procedure. Regardless of what you may have been told from other dental implant practices, our expert team today and take the first step toward enhancing your oral health and smile.

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