Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Posted on May 6, 2020

Every year, our doctors see hundreds of San Francisco men and women who are interested in having dental implants placed. While this tooth replacement system is the most popular choice on the dental market today, dental implants are not for everyone. Therefore, when you visit with one of our doctors at Skoulas, DDS and Associates for an initial consultation, they will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure. With years of experience placing dental implants, our doctors know exactly what is needed to ensure a successful outcome.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Before our doctors will agree to place dental implants for patients, they require everyone to participate in a one-on-one consultation at their San Francisco office. During this appointment, our doctors will evaluate your oral health through examination, X-rays, photographs, and impressions as needed. They will also discuss your medical and oral health history and talk to you about any medications you are taking. While this first step may seem routine, we can assure you that it is vital to the outcome of the dental implants surgery. With this deeper understanding, our doctors are able to have a full picture of your oral and overall health.

Remember, there’s no way for you to determine your candidacy for dental implants before seeing one of our doctors, but in general, the following conditions must be met by each patient:

• Good candidates for dental implants will have healthy jawbone structure.
  When you first visit with our doctors at Skoulas, DDS and Associates in San Francisco, they will evaluate the health of your jawbone structure. It is imperative that your jawbone is strong and healthy before they place implants. If it is not, and if you have been missing teeth for an extended period of time, it is likely that you will require a bone graft prior to dental implants surgery.
• Good candidates for dental implants will not have active gum disease.
  If you present with active gum disease, which is identified by gums that are red, tender, swollen, or bleed easily, you may not be a good candidate for the placement of dental implants. Before our doctors can perform this surgery, you will be required to have your gum disease treated in order to restore your gum health. After all, healthy gums are one of the most important factors of a successful dental implant procedure.
• Good candidates for dental implants will not smoke or use other tobacco products.
  While being a smoker or tobacco user does not in itself disqualify patients from having dental implants placed, the truth is that tobacco products are detrimental to the overall procedure. Not only does tobacco discolor your teeth, but it also leads to gum disease, which can ultimately lead to the failure of your dental implants. If you use tobacco products, be sure to tell our doctors when you meet with them for your initial consultation. This will enable them to prepare the appropriate treatment plan.

Choose San Francisco’s Skoulas, DDS and Associates for Your Dental Implants Surgery

Our doctors have years of experience placing dental implants for men and women in San Francisco, and they are known for their beautiful, aesthetically pleasing results.

If you are ready to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants, don’t hesitate to call our office today at (415) 757-0110!