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Dental implants are an excellent way to permanently restore missing teeth. But they’re not right for everyone. If you’re wondering whether or not you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Wauwatosa, you’re in the right place! In this blog from McCue Dental Health, we’ll discuss what dentists usually look for when determining if dental implants are right for you.

You’re Missing One, Several, Or All Of Your Teeth

Despite what you may think, dental implants can be used to treat more than just one tooth. While single-tooth implants are the most common, implants can also support dental bridges, which replace multiple adjacent teeth. They can even be used with implant-supported dentures to replace the upper arch, lower arch, or both arches of teeth if you’ve lost most or all of your teeth.

Strong Jaw Bone Or Ability To Get A Bone Graft

Since dental implants must be placed directly into your jaw bone, your jaw must be strong and dense enough to support the implant properly, and allow it to heal and bond with the jaw tissue. 

Once you’ve lost a tooth, the underlying jaw bone begins to weaken over time because it’s no longer being stimulated by biting and chewing. If your jaw bone is too weak for an implant, you may need an additional bone graft treatment before you can get a dental implant.

In the bone grafting process, your dentist will open up the implant site and place bone granules in the jaw bone where the implant will be placed. Over time, the natural jaw bone heals around these granules, strengthening the bone and preparing it for a dental implant.

Good Overall Oral Health

Before you can get a dental implant in Wauwatosa, you must have good overall oral health. In other words, you must not have any major cavities, infected teeth, gum disease, or other serious oral health issues. If you do, these must be resolved before you can get a dental implant.

Dental implants should only be placed in healthy mouths. This is because undiagnosed or unaddressed chronic oral health issues can raise the risk of complications and implant failure as the implant heals and bonds with your jaw bone.

Non-Smoker Or Willing To Quit Tobacco For The Duration Of Treatment

Many dentists will not be willing to treat smokers with dental implants at all, and will refuse to treat a smoker unless they commit to quitting tobacco for at least the duration of the implant treatment, which is usually up to 3-6 months.

This is because smoking and oral tobacco use are extremely bad for your oral health, and can dramatically raise the risk of complications when you get dental implants. Smoking, for example, makes it more likely that the implant site will become infected as you recover. 

Learn More About Dental Implants In Wauwatosa At McCue Dental Health

At McCue Dental Health, Dr. Shaun McCue specializes in implant dentistry. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re a good candidate for implants in Wauwatosa, our team is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (414) 456-1091 to schedule an appointment right away.

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