Dental implants are an excellent option — the best available, in fact — for individuals missing one or more teeth. Unfortunately, however, the implant placement process is somewhat invasive and carries certain medical prerequisites for potential recipients:
- A Fully-Formed Jawbone — While there’s no minimum age at which a person becomes eligible for dental implants, to qualify for implant placement, an individual must have a fully-developed jawbone, which is typically between 18 and 24 years of age.
- Good Oral Health — To qualify for implant placement, an individual’s gums and jawbone must be sufficiently healthy and robust to support the implant.
- Good Overall Health — In addition to strong bones and gums, patients receiving dental implants must be free of medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes. It is also recommended that implant recipients generally be in good overall health.
While these are all good rules of thumb, bear in mind that each patient’s case is unique, and only a dentist or oral surgeon can determine definitively if they are suitable for implant placement.
Precisely Placing Dental Implants in Lake Oswego, OR
If you’re in the Lake Oswego area and want to learn more about whether dental implants are the right tooth replacement solution for you, contact Dr. Larry Bowden and the caring and knowledgeable Lake Oswego Smiles team to schedule a consultation!