Patients with missing teeth face more complications than just aesthetic concerns. Dentists are aware of this, but many patients are not. Kevin Varley, DDS, explains how to tell if your patient is a good candidate for dental implants.

Missing teeth aren't just an aesthetic problem. Dentists are aware of this, but many patients are not. As dentists, we must take the time to explain to our patients how missing teeth affect not just their general oral health but also their daily lives. To begin with, edentulous patients are unable to eat all of the things they once did. They'll have to adapt the way they chew and possibly even the way they speak. The jaw might shrink, weaken, and cause the cheeks and lips to drop if there isn't a tooth root for support.

According to the American College of Prosthodontists1, the senior population has a 2 to 1 ratio of edentulous people. To cut it down even more, some 23 million people are fully edentulous, with another 12 million missing teeth in one arch. The good news is that modern dentistry has a solution in the form of dental implants, which are the most effective way to replace missing teeth.

Consider the following criteria if you have patients who are missing teeth and aren't sure if they'd be excellent candidates for dental implants.

5 indications that your patients may require dental implants

1. They have missing or chipped teeth. No one will be able to tell the difference between dental implants and natural teeth; no one will be able to tell the difference. Dental implants are the most long-lasting alternative for replacing missing teeth, allowing patients to eat, speak, and live their lives as if they had never lost or broken their teeth.

Explain to your patients that missing teeth not only impact their ability to chew, talk, and drink, but also put them at risk for recurrent headaches and infection.

2. Your dentures are ill-fitting. Dentures that don't fit properly might cause pain and discomfort. Because dental implants may operate like natural teeth, they are a better, more secure solution than dentures. By staying in place, implants can benefit patients who suffer from the agony of ill-fitting dentures. This helps to avoid further gum inflammation and can help to alleviate pain.

If you have patients who have ill-fitting dentures, talk to them about the benefits and drawbacks of transitioning to dental implants. The lifetime of implants, the money patients will save over time, and the need for fewer office visits are just a few of the benefits.

3. An infection is present. Periodontal disease, damage, or other factors might result in an infected tooth in a patient. However, if the infection becomes severe enough, the patient may benefit from dental implants, regardless of the reason. Consider a dental implant if the infection has compromised the tooth's integrity to the point that it can no longer be saved. The implant will not only reduce the patient's pain from the infection, but it will also help prevent more significant health problems from developing as a result of the illness going untreated.

If your patient has an infection and requires a dental implant, this is a good moment to talk about the risks of untreated infections. Infections can not only cause more tooth loss, but they can also travel to other parts of the body, causing additional health issues.

4. The condition of the jawbone is deteriorating. The jawbone may have begun to weaken and retreat if your patient has been without teeth for a long time. Dental implants not only replace missing teeth, but they also aid to replace tooth structure. Implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone, preventing future recession. Patients who do not get implants run the danger of developing more jaw disorders, which can lead to more tooth loss. Implants will stabilise the jaw over time, preventing the problems from recurring.

Discuss the benefits of implants with your patients if you observe signs of jawbone degradation. Implants support the jawbone and prevent future bone loss caused by missing teeth.

5. It's starting to sink in. If you detect a caved-in appearance in your patient's face, it's possible that he or she could benefit from dental implants. This sunken-in skin is prevalent in patients who wear dentures and can occur when there is bone loss from missing teeth. Dentures do not support bone growth in the same way as implants do, thus the bone continues to erode.

Examine the jaw and explain the benefits of dental implants with your patient if he or she has a caved-in facial appearance. The natural lift that comes with implants offers the face a more youthful appearance and enhances chewing and speaking ability.

Dental implants provide numerous advantages.

Although we as dentists know that dental implants are practical and long-lasting, many patients are apprehensive about the process. It is our responsibility to inform patients that the advantages of dental implants often exceed the hazards. Remind your patients of the following instant advantages that dental implants can provide:

• Restore and protect the structure of your face.
• Stop bone loss and gum recession in their tracks.
• Make a solid foundation for the bridgework.
• Dentures can be held in place without the need of glue.
• To keep the remaining teeth in place, provide support.
• Improve your chewing and speaking skills.
• Provide a long-term replacement for lost teeth.

When patients consider the amount of care dental implants take, they may decide to forego the treatment. Remind them that taking care of their implants is similar to taking care of their natural teeth.

Be aware that not every patient is a good candidate for implants.

Dental implants are a fantastic option for many people, but they aren't always the best solution. Long-term success with dental implants requires healthy gums, enough bone support and density, and a good at-home oral hygiene practise, according to our findings. Implants are not ruled out if the patient has a history of periodontal disease. Before implants can be placed, however, all symptoms of periodontal disease must be corrected.

Other reasons patients may not be a suitable fit for implants include:

• They have an autoimmune condition that makes it difficult for them to heal.
• They don't have control over their diabetes.
• They are now using drugs that have a negative impact on healing.
• Currently, they smoke or use drugs.

Dental implants have changed the way dentists treat missing teeth and the difficulties that come with them. Patients can have teeth replaced using cutting-edge technology that looks and functions just like their natural teeth. If you have patients with missing or chipped teeth, look for the signs listed in this article to see if they are good candidates for dental implants. 

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