Who is suitable for dental implants Melbourne? A quick guide from High Dental

Most people in 2022 have heard of the wide-reaching restorative dental treatment known as oral implants.

Oral implants can be affixed to the jaw via surgery, and through a process known as osseointegration, they gradually fuse, creating an anchor or stable base for the prosthetic tooth or teeth to be attached. This means that when the prosthetic teeth are fixed to the implant, they will not move, making them great for patients who have multiple missing teeth and wish to regain some chewing strength.

At High Dental Implants Melbourne, we have been able to offer dental implants Melbourne for over a decade to suitable patients and can advise you on everything relating to this treatment, from suitability to aftercare. And, of course, we will aim to ensure that any implants you have fitted with our team will last as long as possible. Great stuff!

But who exactly is suitable for having dental implants Melbourne fitted, and can anybody with missing teeth have them? Read on for a simplified guide to how we screen for suitability for oral implants.

Strong jawbone

One of the first things that need to be assessed when you want to have dental implants Melbourne fitted is the reasons for the missing teeth.

However, we will aim to enquire as to when the tooth was removed and then take x-rays to assess the strength of your jawbone. This scan is required because a jawbone that is weak or damaged will not be able to support endosteal implants, meaning you may need to have a different implant type fitted or a different restorative procedure altogether. Luckily, most people who want to have implants fitted do have a strong jaw bone, so try not to worry too much!

No underlying dental issues

If you have any remaining natural teeth in your mouth, our team will also need to assess whether there are any signs of active tooth decay or gum disease. Gum disease, in particular, is very detrimental to the successful fusing of oral implants, so it must be treated before this procedure.

Over 18 years of age

To have oral implants, you also must be over the age of 18; this is not solely due to being considered an adult but more linked to the growth of the jawbone. When people reach the age of 18, all of their adult teeth would have erupted along with their wisdom teeth, and the jawbone would have ceased to grow, making it suitable for implantation.

Good general health

There are a few medical issues that can impact the health of your jawbone and make you unsuitable for implants. One of them is osteoporosis; this can cause the bone to become fragile. Diabetes can also slow down the healing process post-surgery and make fusing more unlikely. If you have any underlying health issues that you are concerned about, please talk to our team.

Lifestyle

If you smoke or drink excessive quantities of alcohol, this will harm the fusing and healing processes. So talk to our dental team about methods to quit these habits before having oral implants to ensure that once your implants are fitted, they will stay in place.

DISCLAIMER

All treatments carry risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.