Have you lost a tooth? Have you lost many teeth? Or have you lost most or all of your teeth?
Then yes… dental implants are, in all likelihood, right for you!
The great thing about dental implants is that most patients are candidates. There are very few factors that can actually stand in the way of someone being considered a suitable candidate. Age alone is never a consideration: during Dr. Alan Wolcott’s over 20 years of treating and restoring dental implants, he’s treated patients in their early 20’s, as well as those who are well into their nineties!
Having said that, there are some concerns that any implant dentist will need to determine before signing a patient up for surgery.
The Ideal Candidate…
The ideal candidate for dental implant surgery is in good health and presents with a reasonable standard of oral health. Obviously, teeth tend to go missing as a result of poor oral health and hygiene, so the latter point isn’t too critical. Adequate bone volume in the jaw is also necessary, because dental implants – just like natural tooth roots – rely on the underlying bone for support.
If you don’t walk into our office an ideal candidate, Dr. Alan Wolcott can devise a plan that will either overcome the various challenges your case presents, or will work around them. Many of our patients are not in the greatest of health, but we still find safe ways to achieve the fantastic results they’ve dreamed of.
Important Considerations for Candidacy
There are certain conditions and illnesses that may render you a poor candidate for dental implants, which essentially means that the risk of complications and implant failure is significant. These include:
- Uncontrolled blood pressure or other uncontrolled medical issues like diabetes, or Rare bone or Blood disorders
- Oral cancer or Radiation therapy to the jaws
- Rare bone disorders,
- Blood disorders.
Dr. Alan Wolcott will be able to determine from your medical history, a detailed clinical examination and X-ray images whether or not single implants or the “All-On-4” protocol is right for you. The good news is, with close contact with your primary care physician and specialist, nearly everyone is!
Schedule Your Screening!
Call our office directly at 301.850.2356 to schedule a screening and find out whether dental implants are right for you! Alternatively, fill out the form on our Contact Us page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible to address any questions or concerns you may have.