Who Can Get Dental Implants?

If you feel like you’re seeing more ads for dental implants and implant dentistry, you aren’t wrong. According to a 2015 count by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, over 3 million Americans have dental implants, and an additional 500,000 new implants are placed every year. The dental implant industry was valued at over $1.1 billion in 2019, and implants are the go-to solution for tooth replacement. 

Implants are so popular because they’re the best, most successful way to replace missing teeth. With their rising popularity, you may want to know if you would be a good candidate for implants. Use this blog to learn more about implants and who can get them.

If you’re interested in dental implants or curious if they could be a good match for you, visit the team at Mark Kramer, DDS in Tustin, California. Dr. Kramer is a dental implant expert with over 30 years of experience in the field. He has training from the renowned Misch International Implant Institute and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. Our team is proud of its 99% success rate in their implant and restoration procedures, with a lifetime guarantee of effectiveness.

On dental implants

Every dental implant is made up of three parts. First, there is the actual implant, which is a screw-shaped piece of metal that’s placed in the jawbone. After the implant is placed, you’ll wait a few months so that the jawbone can bond with the implant, a process called osseointegration. An abutment is then positioned on top of the implant – it acts as a connector between the implant and the crown. Finally, the crown is the artificial tooth that will fill the spot of the missing tooth. The combination of the implant, abutment, and implant mimics a real tooth.

Implants versus other replacement methods

Before implants moved into the mainstream, dentures and dental bridges were the options available for “replacing” missing teeth. Neither of these choices, however, can compare to implants. Dentures are cheaper, but have to be removed and cleaned. They also don’t help maintain jawbone health and can negatively impact taste and sensory experience with food. Bridges may require crowns on otherwise healthy teeth, are difficult to floss, and place more strain on the remaining teeth than with a dental implant.

Benefits of implants

Implants, in general, offer more versatility and function than dentures or bridges. Benefits include: 

• Preserve teeth and protect adjacent teeth and tooth structures
• Tooth retention
• Protect against bone reduction in the jaw, increasing stability
• Aesthetics
• Function like normal teeth – especially chewing, general comfort, and sound articulation

Most importantly, implants are permanent. They simply become a part of your mouth.

Who is a good candidate?

There is no golden ticket that can determine if implants are right for you. However, you may be a good candidate if you match the following: 

• Have one or more missing teeth
• Have a jawbone that's reached full growth
• Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft
• Have healthy oral tissues
• Don't have health conditions that will affect bone healing
• Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
• Want to improve your speech
• Are willing to commit several months to the process
• Don't smoke tobacco 

The best way to see if you’re a good candidate is to make an appointment at Mark Kramer, DDS in Tustin.

Don’t let missing teeth get you down. Implants may help transform your smile. Contact our office today.