By Joel Paige
Dental implants are were a real industry wide disrupter when they were first made readily available. They’re the closest thing we’ve got to real teeth, both in looks and function, and they’re a solid solution for anyone who has lost one or more teeth. But not everyone is a good match for this treatment. If you’re here wondering if this could be the fix for your smile or dental problems, you’ve come to the right place.
First off, lets get into the basics. A good candidate for dental implants needs to have healthy gums and enough bone in their jaw to support the implant. The implant itself is like a tiny screw that goes right into your jawbone which acts as the foundation for the replacement tooth. Without sufficient bone, the implant won’t have the stability it needs to stay strong during biting and chewing. That’s where bone grafts come into play, sometimes they’re a necessary step before the actual implant procedure. If you’re living in the North of Thailand or visiting for dentil treatment, clinics offering Chiang Mai implant dental solutions ensure you’re evaluated fully to see if prepping your jawbone is needed.
General health also matters here. Smoking, for one, can be a dealbreaker. It messes with your body’s ability to heal properly, which is not something you want when you’ve just had surgery on your gums and jaw. Chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease don’t automatically rule you out, but it’s important that they’re under control. If they’re not managed well, they can complicate healing and increase the chances of failure.
Another thing to keep in mind is age, but not in the way you might think. It’s not really about being too old, it’s actually about being too young. For younger patients whose jawbones are still growing, dental implants have to wait. Teens may not be the best candidates until their facial structure is fully developed, usually around their late teens or early twenties.
And then we have your oral hygiene. If you’re not already in the habit of brushing twice a day, flossing, and checking in with your dentist regularly, you’ll need to step it up. Dental implants come with responsibilities and past neglect of oral care doesn’t necessarily disqualify you, but future commitment is non-negotiable. Good hygiene is key to avoiding infections and ensuring the long-term success of the implant.
Lifestyle will also play a part. Are you someone who’s prone to grinding your teeth? either consciously or as a stress habit in your sleep? It’s something your dentist will ask about because constant grinding can put too much pressure on the implant over time. Luckily, this is manageable with things like mouthguards, so it’s not a definite no, but still you will need to bear this in mind.
Then, of course, there’s the question of what are you looking to achieve with dental implants? Is it’s aesthetics, functionality, or both, the procedure is typically a good choice for anyone who wants a permanent solution either way. Dentures and bridges can do the job too, but they may not have that locked-in feel of dental implants.
To sum it up, if you’re missing teeth, in decent health, and ready for the responsibility of keeping your gums and implants healthy long-term, this could be an excellent option for you to consider.
