Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Am I A Candidate?

Virtually All Patients Are

Dental Implant Candidates

Dental Implant Alternatives: Find the Best Option for You!

Entrust Your Missing Smile To A Premier Dental Implant Specialist

If you or a family member are living with tooth loss or a failing tooth, you may wonder who a good candidate for dental implants is. If you have good physical health, sufficient bone volume and density, and no underlying infection or diseases, you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants in Washington, DC. Of course, many people who seek our expert care have complex oral health issues, and some have experienced subpar results at other practices and require dental implant restoration.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify for dental implants or have been told you aren’t a candidate, your smile is in highly experienced hands at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry. Our prosthodontist has a long and successful track record placing and restoring dental implants with incredible precision, including treating highly challenging salvage cases! He has helped countless people become dental implant candidates in Washington, DC, and placed over 3,900 dental implants with virtually no bone loss and a success rate of 97% after 20 years!

The Elite Team Has Expertise in Treating Complex Cases

Dental implants placed at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry rarely fail due to our strict treatment regimen and patients’ adherence to our hygiene protocol. With four decades of proven implant experience, we can help you qualify for dental implants in Washington, DC, even if one or several of the following issues apply to you:

• Extensive tooth decay
• Partially or completely edentulous (toothless)
• Severe bone loss
• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
• Systemic medical conditions
• Traumatic dental injury

How is Dental Implant Candidacy Determined?

When you visit Elite Prosthetic Dentistry for dental implants, our prosthodontist will perform an oral exam and use our cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner to assess the density and volume of your underlying jaw bone. A thorough exam, imaging, and frank discussion about your medical history and current health will help determine if you have any issues that must be resolved or considered before undergoing surgery. Additional steps or precautions must be taken in dental implant candidates with any of the following risk factors for dental implant failure.

Gum Health

Untreated gingivitis can lead to the development of bacterial plaque, calculus (tartar), periodontal disease, and even the loss of bone and teeth. In terms of dental implants, healthy gums are required before surgery because an inflammatory condition called peri-implant mucositis (gum tissue inflammation) can attack the soft tissue around dental implants and lead to peri-implantitis or bone loss, leading to dental implant failure. Maintaining excellent oral health after dental implant surgery is equally important, including maintenance visits to check for plaque and tartar build-up and any signs of inflammation.

Bone Health

Good bone density is required for dental implants to fuse with your underlying jawbone and provide long-term function and stability. Bone grafting is an oral surgery procedure designed to reverse bone loss and enable dental implant surgery. Dental implants should be placed within four to 12 months of grafting to prevent bone resorption and deliver long-lasting support and full functionality.

Systemic Conditions

Uncontrolled diabetes and hyperglycemia make it more difficult for your body to heal after surgery and increase the risk of post-surgical infection. Diabetes can also affect the fusion process, so it either takes longer for the implants to integrate with the jaw bone or complete osseointegration doesn’t occur. Proper disease control, including taking medications as prescribed, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising, can increase the likelihood of successful dental implant outcomes if you have diabetes.

Physical Health

Smoking is detrimental to your oral and general health. Research has shown smoking reduces infection resistance, delays wound healing and decreases calcium absorption and blood flow, which can cause fusion issues. Certain medications, including bisphosphonates, corticosteroid therapy, and irradiation therapy in the head or neck area, can lead to complications, cardiovascular disease, bleeding disorders, and immune deficiency present challenges that require advanced skills and special precautions.

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Customized Implant Solutions to Restore Your Radiant Smile

Even if you have extensive bone loss, our prosthodontist has the skills to rebuild your bone health with various advanced grafting techniques. The 3D image created from your CBCT scan is used to create precision surgical guides that optimize the positioning of dental implants while avoiding damage to important structures such as blood vessels, nerves, and maxillary sinuses. Our prosthodontist also specializes in placing the abutment and crown with the correct emergence profile (contour of the dental restoration where it meets the gum tissue).

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, meticulous treatment planning, surgical and restorative expertise, advanced technology, an in-house dental lab, and superb results make our practice the premier choice for dental implants in Washington, DC! Entrust your missing smile to our award-winning practice, and you’ll discover how top-quality dental implants and restorations can positively change your smile, outlook, and overall quality of life!