Are You A Good Candidate for Dental Implants? Our Green Bay Dentist Explains

Missing teeth can greatly impact your health, self-esteem, and quality of life. Fortunately, dental implants offer a permanent and natural-looking tooth replacement solution. Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed in the jawbone that fuse with your natural bone over time. 

If you’re considering implants, you likely have questions about candidacy. Our Green Bay dentist, Dr. Chad Yenchesky, can help determine whether you’re a good candidate for this life-changing permanent tooth replacement. Call (920) 336-4201 to schedule an appointment at Fox View Dental in De Pere, WI, today.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are revolutionary tooth replacements. During this surgical procedure, small titanium screw-like posts are inserted into the jawbone. A period of osseointegration allows the implant and bone to fuse, providing a sturdy base for attaching artificial teeth. 

Custom-made realistic-looking porcelain crowns, bridges, or dentures are then attached to the top portion of the implants. The result is a beautiful, natural-looking smile!

Benefits of Dental Implants

There are many advantages to choosing dental implants over other tooth replacement options like dentures and bridges. Benefits include:

• Durable: With proper oral care, implants can last decades.
• Preserve Bone: Implants stimulate and maintain jawbone health.
• Improve Appearance: Implants support restorations that look and feel like natural teeth.
• Restore Chewing Function: Allows for natural biting and chewing ability.
• Prevent Sagging Facial Features: Provides stimulation to prevent jawbone loss.
• Boost Self-Esteem: An attractive and full smile can greatly improve confidence.
• Convenience: Implants are easy to care for like natural teeth — no need to remove them daily.
• Improve Overall Health: Proper chewing and nutrition are linked to better health.

Candidates for Dental Implants

The ideal candidate for dental implants has healthy oral tissues and adequate bone density at the implant site. Our Green Bay dentist will conduct thorough dental exams and diagnostic imaging to determine if you have sufficient bone volume and quality to support the implants. Ideal candidates also have healthy teeth and gums without active decay or periodontal disease.

Additional factors that determine implant candidacy include:

• General Health: Good overall health is important, along with well-managed chronic conditions.
• Oral Hygiene: Candidates should be able to practice excellent daily oral hygiene.
• Anatomical Factors: Adequate soft tissue depth and keratinized gingiva are necessary for implant success.
• Adequate Space: There needs to be room in the jaw for implant placement.
• Non-Smoker: Smoking negatively impacts healing and success rates.
• Realistic Expectations: A proper candidate should commit to all recommended treatments and maintenance.

Who’s Not A Candidate For Dental Implants?

Certain situations and health conditions may prevent candidates from being suitable for implants. These include:

• Uncontrolled chronic conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders
• Active radiation treatment or chemotherapy for cancer
• Metabolic or hormonal disorders like osteoporosis
• Chronic conditions that require steroid treatment or anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications
• Immunosuppressive disorders or medications
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Insufficient bone density or volume
• Unresolved periodontal (gum) disease

During your exam, we’ll discuss your unique health history and risk factors to determine if implants are right for you. We may recommend supplemental procedures to optimize your candidacy and success.

Supplemental Procedures

If you’re not initially a candidate for implants, supplemental treatments may be recommended to prepare your mouth. Some examples include:

• Bone Grafting: Materials like your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone can be placed to increase bone volume.
• Soft Tissue Grafting: The gums can be augmented with soft tissue grafts.
• Sinus Lift: Adds bone beneath the maxillary sinuses when needed for posterior implants.
• Ridge Expansion: Makes narrow ridges wider to accommodate implant diameter.

With strategic planning and sequenced treatments, implants can often become a possibility for borderline candidates. Schedule an exam at our Green Bay dental office so we can perform a comprehensive evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule Your Implant Consultation Today

Don’t let missing teeth stop you from loving your smile. Call Fox View Dental today at (920) 336-4201 to schedule your Green Bay dental implant consultation. We’ll perform a candidacy assessment, answer all your questions, and devise an optimal treatment plan tailored to your needs. With strategic planning and care, a beautiful implant-supported smile is an achievable goal.