Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

At Pineville Family Dentistry, Dr. Troy Babb specializes in implant dentistry in Pineville, and can restore your smile if you’ve lost one or more of your natural teeth. But you may not be sure if dental implants are right for you, or if you’re a good candidate. Read on to see a few of the top signs that implants are a good choice for you, and contact us now for a no-commitment implant consultation in Pineville! 

1. Your Jaw Is Strong & Healthy

Implants are surgically placed into your jaw bone, so your jaw must be relatively strong. This is why it’s best to get implants within a year of losing your natural teeth. During this time, the jaw bone will lose some of its strength, but it will still be strong enough to accommodate implants.

Even if your jaw has deteriorated because you lost your teeth several years ago, you may still be able to get bone grafts, which strengthen your jaw to prepare it for an implant. This will mean your treatment will take longer and cost more, but you’ll still get fantastic results.

2. You’re Free Of Gum Disease & Cavities

Your oral health must be strong to get implants. Cavities or tooth decay should be treated before implant placement to eliminate the risk of complications, and gum disease must be eliminated or controlled before the treatment can begin.

Uncontrolled gum disease raises the risk of “peri-implantitis,” an infection of the gums around the implant, which can result in implant failure. Because of this, you must have good overall oral health to get implants.

3. You Are Not A Smoker Or Oral Tobacco User

Many dentists will refuse to treat smokers or users of oral tobacco with dental implants unless they quit before the implant placement process. This is because tobacco use can negatively affect the healing process, significantly increasing the risk of implant failure.

If you are a non-smoker, or you use tobacco but are willing to quit for your oral health, you are a good candidate for dental implants at Pineville Family Dentistry.

4. You Want An Alternative To Dentures & Dental Bridges

Partial dentures can move and shift, and are often bulky and uncomfortable. Dental bridges are more comfortable and don’t move, but require special care and do not last as long as implants.

Whether you’ve have had dentures and bridges in the past, or you’ve just lost a few teeth and are considering your options, 

5. You’re Willing To Invest Time & Money For The Best Results 

Implants usually take a minimum of 3-6 months for treatment, and are typically more expensive than bridges and dentures. They also are not always fully covered by dental insurance plans.

However, implants last 30+ years with proper care, look and feel completely natural, and do not require any special care or maintenance. If you are willing and able to invest in your smile, they are definitely the best way to restore one or more missing teeth.

Contact Pineville Family Dentistry For An Implant Consultation Today! 

If you think you may be a good candidate for implants in Pineville, Kingsville, Camp Beauregard, or any of the surrounding areas, Dr. Troy Babb is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (318) 704-5757 for a no-commitment implant consultation, and find out if this treatment is right for you.