Missing a tooth can change everything about your day. It affects how you smile, how you chew, and even how confident you feel when meeting new people. If you are exploring options for tooth replacement, you have likely heard about the gold standard in restorative dentistry: dental implants. But are they right for you?
At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, UT, we help patients navigate these important decisions every day. Dr. Chris Hammond, one of the premier dentists in the area, and our team have been proudly serving our neighbors in Provo, Orem, and Utah County since 1996. We understand that restoring your smile is a personal journey.
Below is a checklist to help you understand the factors that make you a prime candidate for dental implants.
The Candidate Checklist: What We Look For
A good candidate for dental implants typically has healthy gums, sufficient jawbone density, excellent oral hygiene, and a commitment to maintaining long-term dental health
Dental implants are unique because they don’t just sit on top of your gums; they integrate directly with your jawbone. This process, called osseointegration, requires specific conditions for success. Here is what we look for during an evaluation:
1. Sufficient Jawbone Density
This is the most critical factor. The implant is a titanium post that acts as a tooth root. It needs a solid foundation of bone to anchor securely. If you have been missing a tooth for a long time, you may have experienced some bone loss. However, even if your bone density is low, bone grafting procedures can often rebuild the area to support an implant.
2. Healthy Gums
Your gums need to be free of periodontal disease. Gum disease can cause infection around the implant, leading to failure. We always ensure your soft tissues are healthy and pink before proceeding with surgery.
3. Good General Health
Because placing an implant is a surgical procedure, your body needs to be able to heal properly. Certain conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders can affect healing. Smoking is also a significant factor; it restricts blood flow to the gums and can slow down the healing process, so quitting or pausing smoking is highly recommended for success.
4. Commitment to Oral Hygiene
Implants are incredibly durable, but they still require care. You must be committed to brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry for regular cleanings.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
If you meet the criteria above, the long-term advantages of dental implants are unmatched by other replacement options like dentures or bridges.
- Exceptional Durability: With proper care, implants can last a lifetime. They are a permanent solution rather than a temporary fix.
- Natural Appearance and Feel: Implants look and function exactly like your natural teeth. You can eat your favorite foods—apples, steak, corn on the cob—without worry.
- Improved Oral Health: Unlike bridges, which require grinding down adjacent healthy teeth for support, implants stand alone. This preserves more of your natural tooth structure. Furthermore, the implant stimulates the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that typically occurs when a tooth is missing.
Take the Next Step in Provo
Determining candidacy isn’t something you can do alone in front of a mirror. It requires advanced imaging and a professional eye. If you want to learn more about implant dentistry and find out if teeth implants are a suitable tooth replacement for you, we are here to help.
Don’t let a missing tooth hold you back any longer. Call and schedule a visit today at our Provo office. Let Dr. Chris Hammond and our experienced team help you reclaim your smile and your confidence.
Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
801-374-0070
Location (Tap To Open In Google Maps):
3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604
