If you have multiple decayed or missing teeth, you may be looking at options to restore your smile. One option that can make it look like you still have all of your natural teeth would be to get dental implants. This option may not be for everyone though depending on other health or body concerns. Here are some tips for how to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants and what you can do to make the process easier on your body. 

Target Other Mouth Issues First

The healing process following dental implant surgery might take longer if you have additional issues in your mouth that need to be addressed. If you have gum disease, for example, you might want to spend time targeting or reducing this issue as best as you can before moving forward with implants.

Assess Bone Density

Dental implants require a good jawbone in order for the installation to be successful. If you tell your local dentist that you are interested in implants, they might take some X-rays of your mouth. This will allow them to see how much bone density you have and if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

If you've already lost some teeth, it's possible you've also lost some jawbone on that side of your mouth. You may be able to look at options like bone grafting to improve your bone density and make the dental implant installation much easier.

Be Up-Front About Other Health Problems

Always tell your dentist about any other potential health issues you currently have and you should also provide a list of current medications. Your oral health can often be connected to the rest of your health and your dentist can let you know if the recovery process from the implant surgery might be complicated by other issues you are dealing with.

Stop or Limit Your Smoking Habit

If you are a smoker, you may want to consider quitting. At the very least, you may want to summon the willpower to avoid smoking immediately following the implant surgery. Smoking is obviously bad for your mouth and it could cause the healing process following your surgery to be delayed.

Talk to Your Dentist

Your local dentist can assess your current oral health, go over dental implant options and help you understand the process from start to finish. Contact a local dental office, such as Conestoga Oral Surgery, to learn more.