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Am I a Candidate for Implants? There are certain situations where a patient may be advised against getting a dental implant. At Watermark Dentistry any situation can be resolved. Candidacy for dental implants are dependent on a couple of factors, the ability to heal and the abundance of bone availability. Initially, a patient may not meet one of these important factors, but we can help them get to a position toward being prepared. Do not assume that you are not a candidate for dental implants. The options and various treatments available are vast; we can design a treatment plan that will work with you. During your initial appointments, we will ask you about your health and medications that you are taking; we will also ask if you smoke tobacco or if you consume alcohol. It is important to share all information with us, even information that you feel is irrelevant to your teeth, such as if you are taking heart medication. Your medical condition may be more relevant to your teeth than you think. We need to determine if you are at risk for any potential problems that can prevent implantation.General HealthIn particular, you should have good dental health and good general health. You should also not smoke or take any medications that may hinder the healing process. If you have good overall health, then you should qualify as a candidate. Provided that you’re healthy, your age will provide no hindrance to surgery. Gum DiseaseDental health issues damage regular teeth, and they can harm dental implants as well. If you presently have or have ever had gum disease, that may damage your dental implants. We can provide treatment for gum disease and monitor your mouth to see if it returns, but the risk is still there. Other Health ConcernsDuring your consultation, Dr. June Daniel Hong will go over your overall health and determine if you qualify as a candidate. If you have any conditions that will impact your dental health, that is something you need to tell us during your consultation. You cannot have dental implants put in if you recently had or plan to have radiation therapy for your jaw. There are some conditions that can make implants more difficult. The ability to heal timely is vital to the success of this dental procedure. There are certain medical conditions that can decrease a person’s ability to heal, including diabetes, certain cancer treatments, medications that you are taking, or the smoking of tobacco. All of these conditions can be managed if we know your full medical history, and we can work with your personal physician to adjust medications, or get your condition, such as insulin levels, or to limit smoking during this time, to help increase your rate of healing before surgery. MedicationsCertain medications can cause problems during the healing period for dental implant surgery. The most common offenders are antidepressants and bisphosphonates (which are osteoporosis medications).
SmokingIf you smoke, the risk of implant failure goes up by three times or more. We encourage quitting completely, but if you can quit for the duration of the surgery and healing period, it should work. Denture PatientsPeople who have dentures are good candidates for implants. Dental implants are superior to dentures in both appearance and function, and if you’re wearing full dentures, we won’t need to remove any teeth. Are Implants Right for You?If you would like more information about dental implants, contact For more information, please contact Watermark Dentistry at (206) 242-5808 to schedule a consultation appointment. |
 Hours Mon Tues Weds Thur Fri/Sat 8am to 5pm 8am to 5pm 8am to 5pm 7:30am to 2:30pm Emergency |
