Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, veneers, or a smile makeover. Take our quick assessment at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry.
Virtually All Patients Are
Dental Implant Candidates
Entrust Your Missing Smile To A Premier Dental Implant Specialist
If you or a family member are living with tooth loss or a failing tooth, you may wonder who a good candidate for dental implants is. If you have good physical health, sufficient bone volume and density, and no underlying infection or diseases, you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants in Washington, DC. Of course, many people who seek our expert care have complex oral health issues, and some have experienced subpar results at other practices and require dental implant restoration.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for dental implants or have been told you aren’t a candidate, your smile is in highly experienced hands at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry. Our prosthodontist has a long and successful track record placing and restoring dental implants with incredible precision, including treating highly challenging salvage cases! He has helped countless people become dental implant candidates in Washington, DC, and placed over 3,900 dental implants with virtually no bone loss and a success rate of 97% after 20 years!
The Elite Team Has Expertise in Treating Complex Cases
Dental implants placed at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry rarely fail due to our strict treatment regimen and patients’ adherence to our hygiene protocol. With four decades of proven implant experience, we can help you qualify for dental implants in Washington, DC, even if one or several of the following issues apply to you:
- Extensive tooth decay
- Partially or completely edentulous (toothless)
- Severe bone loss
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
- Systemic medical conditions
- Traumatic dental injury
How is Dental Implant Candidacy Determined?
When you visit Elite Prosthetic Dentistry for dental implants, our prosthodontist will perform an oral exam and use our cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner to assess the density and volume of your underlying jaw bone. A thorough exam, imaging, and frank discussion about your medical history and current health will help determine if you have any issues that must be resolved or considered before undergoing surgery. Additional steps or precautions must be taken in dental implant candidates with any of the following risk factors for dental implant failure.
Gum Health
Untreated gingivitis can lead to the development of bacterial plaque, calculus (tartar), periodontal disease, and even the loss of bone and teeth. In terms of dental implants, healthy gums are required before surgery because an inflammatory condition called peri-implant mucositis (gum tissue inflammation) can attack the soft tissue around dental implants and lead to peri-implantitis or bone loss, leading to dental implant failure. Maintaining excellent oral health after dental implant surgery is equally important, including maintenance visits to check for plaque and tartar build-up and any signs of inflammation.
Bone Health
Good bone density is required for dental implants to fuse with your underlying jawbone and provide long-term function and stability. Bone grafting is an oral surgery procedure designed to reverse bone loss and enable dental implant surgery. Dental implants should be placed within four to 12 months of grafting to prevent bone resorption and deliver long-lasting support and full functionality.
Systemic Conditions
Uncontrolled diabetes and hyperglycemia make it more difficult for your body to heal after surgery and increase the risk of post-surgical infection. Diabetes can also affect the fusion process, so it either takes longer for the implants to integrate with the jaw bone or complete osseointegration doesn’t occur. Proper disease control, including taking medications as prescribed, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising, can increase the likelihood of successful dental implant outcomes if you have diabetes.
Physical Health
Smoking is detrimental to your oral and general health. Research has shown smoking reduces infection resistance, delays wound healing and decreases calcium absorption and blood flow, which can cause fusion issues. Certain medications, including bisphosphonates, corticosteroid therapy, and irradiation therapy in the head or neck area, can lead to complications, cardiovascular disease, bleeding disorders, and immune deficiency present challenges that require advanced skills and special precautions.
Get Pricing And Options For Treatment
Customized Implant Solutions to Restore Your Radiant Smile
Even if you have extensive bone loss, our prosthodontist has the skills to rebuild your bone health with various advanced grafting techniques. The 3D image created from your CBCT scan is used to create precision surgical guides that optimize the positioning of dental implants while avoiding damage to important structures such as blood vessels, nerves, and maxillary sinuses. Our prosthodontist also specializes in placing the abutment and crown with the correct emergence profile (contour of the dental restoration where it meets the gum tissue).
At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, meticulous treatment planning, surgical and restorative expertise, advanced technology, an in-house dental lab, and superb results make our practice the premier choice for dental implants in Washington, DC! Entrust your missing smile to our award-winning practice, and you’ll discover how top-quality dental implants and restorations can positively change your smile, outlook, and overall quality of life!
Your Best Smile Is Within Reach
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gerald Marlin to discuss your treatment options and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am a good candidate for dental implants?
Nearly all patients are candidates for dental implants. Dr. Marlin evaluates your bone health, gum condition, systemic health factors, and lifestyle to determine the best approach. Even patients with bone loss, gum disease, or medical conditions can often receive implants with proper treatment planning.
Can I get dental implants if I have bone loss in my jaw?
Yes. Bone loss does not automatically disqualify you from dental implants. Bone grafting procedures can rebuild the jawbone to provide adequate support for implant placement. Dr. Marlin has over 40 years of experience managing complex cases involving bone loss.
Does smoking affect dental implant candidacy?
Smoking can increase the risk of implant complications by reducing blood flow to the gums and bone, which slows healing. However, smokers are not automatically excluded from implant treatment. Dr. Marlin will discuss how smoking may affect your specific case and what steps can improve your outcome.
What medical conditions could affect my eligibility for dental implants?
Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications like bisphosphonates can affect implant healing. Dr. Marlin evaluates each patient individually and coordinates with your physicians when needed to develop a safe, effective treatment plan.
What is the success rate of dental implants at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry?
Dr. Marlin has placed over 3,900 dental implants with a 97% success rate after 20 years. This level of long-term success reflects decades of clinical experience, advanced surgical planning, and precision implant placement techniques.
Related Patient Success Stories
Explore similar patient success stories demonstrating our expertise in advanced prosthetic dentistry.
Temporary Crowns Restore Patient's Smile in Just One Day with an Immediate Smile Makeover
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Multi-Faceted Treatment for Patient Unhappy With Her Artificial-Looking Crowns, Teeth and Gums
Many patients come to Elite Prosthetic Dentistry unhappy with the appearance of their smile. However, this particular patient presented with multiple interconnected problems that together created a smile she found deeply unsatisfying.
Treating Kevin’s Collapsed Bite with a Complete Smile Makeover with New Dentures
Dentures are sometimes not created to the ideal aesthetic and functional scheme. When improperly fabricated, dentures can make an individual appear almost a generation older than their actual age. They can have a poor fit that feels loose and unstable when eating or speaking, and they can actually accelerate bone loss over time.
Rejuvenating Maria’s Severely Worn Down Implant Overdentures
Many times, per year, patients come to us frustrated because their implant prosthesis is so severely worn down that they are very self-conscious and cover up their smile. They look and feel much older than their age as a result of the extensive wear of their appliance(s).
Replacing a Discolored Front Tooth with a Precision Placed Implant
Some of the most challenging restorations occur when fabricating an anterior crown to fit on an implant. Not only does one have the difficulty of matching the single front tooth to the other ones in the high visibility zone, but the dentist must also ensure the position of the underlying implant is precise through accurate preplanning and placement.
Treating Congenitally Missing Teeth in a Teenager with Dental Implants
A 16-year-old patient from McLean, Virginia, presented with a condition where she was congenitally missing several teeth, meaning they were missing from birth.
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Ready to Transform Your Smile?
With 40+ years of experience and 3,900+ dental implants placed, Dr. Gerald Marlin delivers results that last. Schedule your consultation today.