Here are the four basic traits that make successful candidates for dental implants.

1) The patient is missing one or more teeth. Damaged teeth can also be replaced with dental implants.

2)  The patient has a healthy jawbone and good gum tissues. Healthy tissues in these areas    are important to ensuring that the implant fixtures will stay firmly attached to the jawbone after the dental implant procedure.

3)  The patient has adequate overall health. Overall good health ensures that the implants will heal properly and there will be fewer potential problems after the procedure.

4)  The patient should have excellent oral hygiene. A clean and healthy mouth ensures better healing and fewer complications after the surgery. Regular dental exams and cleaning are also necessary.

Less Preferred Candidates For Dental Implants

Despite the fact that dental implants are the most preferred tooth replacement option, not all patients are ideal candidates. Some patients that may be less successful candidates are: smokers, diabetics, children, patients with some underlying health conditions and patients with substance abuse problems.

However, it should be noted that each individual patient needs to be evaluated for dental implants based upon the state of their health, oral health and willingness to follow their doctor’s directions after the procedure. Children are not good candidates because their jawbone is not fully developed and could interrupt proper healing of the implant fixtures.

What Do I Do If I Am Not A Good Candidate?

The most important thing you can do to help yourself get ready for dental implants is to become as healthy as possible prior to any surgical procedures. Supplemental procedures like bone or tissue grafting can be used to add volume to inadequate bone and tissues. Quitting smoking is also necessary.