Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

By Michael Woloch, DDS, FAGD
Specialist in Prosthodontics
www.dentalimplantsny.com

The word is out that dental implants can help people who have suffered from dental problems for years. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and to secure bridges.

Many people who can benefit from dental implants think that they may not be suitable candidates for the procedure. Some patients have come to my office for a consultation after having been told by their dentist that implants were not an option for them. As it turns out, almost all of these people actually were able to successfully receive implant treatment.

Let's talk about some of the genuine concerns that many people have regarding dental implants.

Age: Older age is generally not a limitation to receiving implant treatment. If a person is in reasonably good health, there is no specific age limit to having dental implants placed. Concerning young people, we generally place implants after growth has been completed - usually the later teen years.

Medical Conditions: Generally speaking, if a person's medical condition allows them to have routine dental treatment, such as having a tooth removed, they can also have an implant placed. Certain medical conditions do require that precautions are taken. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease that are under control with medication are usually not an obstacle to receiving dental implant treatment.

History of Gum Disease or "Bad Teeth": I have found that some people who need dental implants the most believe that implants would not last because of the problems that they had with their own teeth. This is definitely not the case. Almost all implants have been placed in patients who have lost their teeth to gum (periodontal) disease or decay, with very high success rates.

Having Partials or Dentures for Many Years: 
These are not factors that limit the use of implants. For patients in this situation, fixed ('permanent') teeth can either replace the removable bridges or dentures, or implants can be used to stabilize and secure the denture, making it much more comfortable.

Smoking: Smoking can lower the success rate of implants, but this does not exclude a person from getting them. Even if someone has smoked heavily for many years and stopped, placing implants can still be highly successful.

Bone Loss: Implants are held in place by the bone located under the gums. Many people who have lost teeth or had gum (periodontal) disease have lost some bone. Fortunately, we have modern techniques to add bone (bone grafting) and to help the body produce more bone around the implants.

As you can see, most people who can benefit from dental implants are candidates to get this treatment. It has been rewarding for me to help patients get the treatment that they wanted but thought was out of reach for them. If you believe that dental implants can benefit you, I recommend an evaluation by an experienced specialist in implants, such as a prosthodontist, for advice on the appropriate treatment.

Do You Need a Specialist?

Dentistry, as in medicine, has general practitioners and specialists. Specialists are experts that have years of intense training in their specialty. Only doctors who completed post-graduate programs approved by the American Dental Association can describe themselves as specialists. Patients who have a difficult case, or who want the security of being treated by an expert, may choose to consult with a specialist.

There are four specialty areas that can be involved in dental implants, complex reconstructive dentistry, and cosmetic (esthetic) dentistry:

Prosthodontist: Specializes in rebuilding damaged teeth, replacing missing teeth, and restoring a patient's smile and bite. A prosthodontist is the only dental specialist that, through art and science, uses crowns, laminates, and bridges to skillfully strengthen teeth and restore a patient's teeth to its original condition…or better. The prosthodontist will carefully examine the teeth, gums, bone, smile and bite, and develop a treatment plan that will bring health, comfort, and a natural beauty to the person's smile.

Periodontist: Treats diseases of the gums and bone that support the teeth. Periodontists perform periodontal (gum) surgery and other gum treatments. Many periodontists also place dental implants. A periodontist does not place the new teeth (crowns and bridges) that are secured by the implants - they place the implants and later, the dental specialist (prosthodontist) or general dentist will place the teeth.

Oral Surgeon: Removes (extracts) teeth, treats various diseases of the mouth, and also places implants. An oral surgeon does not place the new teeth that are secured by the implants.

Orthodontist: Places braces and other appliances to move and reposition a patient's teeth to achieve a better appearance and bite. An orthodontist will work with the prosthodontist in some cases involving crowns and implants, helping to position teeth for a better final result. The orthodontist does not place new teeth or rebuild broken teeth.

So which of these specialists should a patient visit first? For a patient that may need dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, or other treatment involving replacing or rebuilding teeth, the first step in determining the course of treatment is to consult with the dentist that will be actually making and placing the new teeth. If the patient is seeking expert advice and the skills of a specialist, that dentist is a prosthodontist.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 212-685-3212