I Have Osteoporosis – Am I Eligible For Dental Implants?
Osteoporosis affects many people in the UK and causes the bones in the body to become brittle and weak. This leads to decreased bone density. The problem is that for dental implants in Richmond to survive and thrive, they need good quality bone and plenty of it. Therefore if you do suffer from osteoporosis are you eligible to be fitted with dental implants? If so what steps do you need to take?
Firstly an experienced implant dentist will take every case on merit and therefore won’t discount someone just because they suffer with osteoporosis That said there are certain things that you may need to do.
Try to keep it under control
Firstly you should visit your doctor and ask about controlling it better. This will limit the further effects of the problem. Your doctor might suggest things like taking regular medication, but on top of that they might also suggest a good balanced diet and an exercise routine in order to help.
Speak to an implant dentist
Once you feel that your osteoporosis is more controlled then you’ll need to make an appointment with an implant dentist. During the consultation process, they’ll give you a full oral examination to ascertain criteria such as levels of bone density in the jaw area and indeed any other oral problems that you might have. They’ll also ask about your life-style – whether you exercise regularly, smoke or drink can often play a large part in the success or failure of a dental implant in Richmond.
Medication
You may be prescribed medication such as Bisphosphanates for your osteoporosis as these are well known for preventing the body from re-absorbing bone tissue. However, what you might not know is that they can also affect your body’s ability to heal after dental implant surgery. The problem is that the healing stage (also known as bone fusion or osseointegration) is crucial for the success of your dental implants.
The verdict!
Each case will be different and as you can see, there are many varying factors which may exclude one person and allow another. That said, if you are showing signs of some good quality bone, then your implant dentist should give you the thumbs up for treatment. Be prepared for the fact that the healing process will take longer, but this can also be written into your personalised treatment plan.
If you want to find out more about how osteoporosis may or may not affect dental implants in Richmond, then contact Sheen Dental on 020 8876 5277 and discuss your case with Dr Harmit Kalsi and the team. You can also check out our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk were you can find a wealth of information to help.