Dental implants have revolutionised the dental industry by offering people a long term solution to missing or damaged teeth which is about as close as it can be to natural teeth. By fusing with the bone in the jaw, implants act as a substitute for the missing tooth root and help prevent bone loss and gum shrinkage, which is one of the major problems for denture wearers. If you’re considering a dental implant in Richmond, then here at Sheen Dental we take great care to ensure that dental implants are only ever placed in the mouths of candidates whom we consider have the best chance of their implants being successful. So with this in mind, let’s take a look at those people who should probably not be considering a dental implant:
Uncontrolled or crippling disease
Any condition which slows down or prevents the body from healing and mending itself can have a negative influence on the implants placement and health. Patients suffering from uncontrolled diabetes for example, are unlikely to be suitable candidates because their condition means that the body is failing to heal normally. However, a patient who has their diabetes under control thanks to their doctor could be treated successfully for dental implants in Richmond. Other diseases such as leukaemia can also affect the outcome of an implant. In addition patients who have been are or are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer are probably best to wait until their treatment has been completed and the doctor considers it safe to proceed with implants.
Pregnant Women
If you’re pregnant then you shouldn’t begin the dental implant procedure until three months have elapsed. We would recommend that it is best to wait until after the birth of your baby.
Lacking in motivation
A dental surgeon can only place the implant, but its ultimate success depends to a large extent on the patient. If you’re not committed to following the steps recommended before, during and long after the procedure then you might be best to consider an alternative dental treatment. Regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist are a must for successful implants.
Unable to co-ordinate muscular control
It’s necessary to keep the gums and bone around the implant area healthy which means a person needs to be able to hold a tooth brush and be able to floss and use any other tools necessary to remove plaque and food debris. Anyone with severe arthritis or any handicap which has affected the hands or arms may not be considered a suitable candidate for an implant.
Children
Generally we would not consider children to be suitable candidates for implants until they are in their late teens since the jaw and the rest of their body is still growing and an implant could impede its growth or cause it to grow unevenly. However, we’re well aware that children all develop at different speeds but normally for a boy we’d be looking at around 18 years of age, although this will be considerably lower for a girl.
If you’d like to know for sure whether you’re a candidate for dental implants in Richmond, then why not contact Sheen Dental on 020 8876 5277 and book a free initial consultation. Alternatively you can visit the website at www.sheendental.co.uk. Dr Harmit Kalsi and his team look forward to meeting you.