Edentulous may not be a term you hear often, but it describes 36 million Americans. Edentulous means lacking teeth, and yes, 36 million US adults fit the criteria. 20 million of these people have zero permanent teeth, while the remaining have no more teeth in one arch.

Granted, nothing can beat and replace natural teeth. However, there are replacement options for those who’ve already lost some or all of their adult teeth.

Today, full dental implants have become the best option to regain mouth functions. Tooth implants have many benefits, the main one being that they mimic natural teeth. That goes for both appearance and functions, including bone stimulation.

Implants, as great as they are, aren’t for everyone though. There are some requirements that you must meet to ensure the success of your implants.

Ready to explore the possibility of regaining the full functionality of your mouth? Then keep reading to learn whether you’re a good candidate for full tooth implants!

What Are Full Dental Implants?

90% of people who have lost all their natural teeth use complete dentures. Full dentures, after all, offer a low-cost way to get back some of the functions of missing or lost teeth.

However, dentures don’t provide the same jawbone stimulation that dental implants do. That’s why full dental implants are becoming the more preferred choice today. Like dentures, these are implants used in patients who no longer have any natural teeth left.

A full mouth implant also fully restores the appearance and functions of the mouth. Not only do they look much like natural teeth — they also give you nearly the same chewing abilities. Moreover, since they’re a fixed structure, you’ll have fewer speech impediments.

As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to consider dental implants. The question now is, are you a good candidate?

If you meet the criteria listed below, then chances are, you can get dental implants!

Enough Healthy Gums

The dental implants themselves actually replace teeth roots rather than the teeth. The implants provide the foundation for the abutment and artificial teeth. The abutments are small posts that attach to both the implants and the artificial teeth.

That said, a dental implant goes inside the gums and either above or in the jawbone. The gums and the bone are then left to heal over the implant.

Since a dental implant involves surgical placement, it’s best to have healthy gums. Gums in good condition allow for faster dental implant recovery. You’d want your gums to heal quickly, as this will help prevent infections.

So, if you’re one of the estimated 65 million adults with gum disease, does this mean you can’t get implants?

You still can, but you need to get your gum disease under control first. Seeing your dentist for dental hygiene services will help treat your gum disease.

Adequate Jawbone

Being completely edentulous doesn’t always equate to having no jawbone left. However, a jawbone that doesn’t receive any stimulation will continue to degrade. Over time, this can result in complete jawbone loss.

This is why you’d want to invest in the best dental implants ASAP. The sooner you start the procedure, the more likely you are to still have enough jawbone. So long as there’s enough bone to support the implants, then you are still a good candidate.

This is also why people with osteoporosis can still benefit from tooth implants. Scientists have found that these devices actually trigger the growth of new bone. The stimulating effects of tooth implants on the bone seem to contribute to this growth.

Moreover, studies found implants to have a good success rate in osteoporotic patients. Again, the only requirement is that the patient still has enough jawbone left to hold the implant.

Patience

A single dental implant procedure can take 2 to 6 months. This is the time that it takes for the bone to heal around the implant. The lower teeth usually take 2 to 3 months to heal, while the upper teeth take 3 to 6 months.

Since you’re thinking about full dental implants, then expect a longer treatment time. This further highlights the need to take good care of your gums, so that it’ll heal faster. Also, depending on the current health of your mouth, your dentist may only be able to place a few implants at a time.

This is why patience is a must for full dental implant patients. If you think you can handle the long treatment time, then you meet this eligibility factor.

Willingness to Stop Smoking and Make Lifestyle Changes

Gum disease is more prevalent and severe in smokers. Smoking also greatly increases one’s risk of mouth ulcers, bone loss, and gum recession.

Alcohol consumption also increases the risk of dental and periodontal diseases. Moreover, it appears that alcohol kills the good bacteria in the mouth. These are the “healthy” bacteria that stave off infection and other oral diseases.

In general, it’s okay to drink, so long as you do it in moderation. You should, however, try your best to quit smoking, whether or not you want to get full tooth implants. However, this is even more important if you want to become a good candidate for dental implants.

Say Goodbye to Your Toothless Smile with Full Mouth Implant Treatment

There you have it, your ultimate guide on what makes a good candidate for full dental implants. If you’re patient and have enough healthy gums and jawbone, then you may be able to get dental implants.

The best way to confirm your eligibility is to pay your local restorative dentist a visit. The sooner you find out what your options are, the sooner you’ll be on your way to flashing those dazzling smiles.

Ready to determine whether full mouth dental implants are right for you? Then please don’t hesitate to connect with us now! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about your tooth replacement options.