Although Dental implants is a very good treatment option for replacement of single, multiple or all teeth to restore good esthetics, functions and oral health, . But it is very important to take into consideration the indications and contraindications of Dental implants.
Let’s look into some indications and contraindications of Dental implants.
Indications of Dental Implants
- Single missing tooth replacement
- Implant supported bridge for multiple missing teeth
- Full mouth rehabilitation with implant supported dentures.
- Patients who cannot have removable dentures.
- Patients with high functional and esthetic requirements.
Contraindications of Dental Implants
- There are certain general conditions in which anesthesia and surgical procedures are inadvisable. These general conditions include:
- Heart Disease with defective valves, cardiac insufficiency, cardiomyopathy, recent cardiac infarcts.
- Radiotherapy treatment
- Active cancer patients.
- Patients with bone diseases like osteomalacia, Paget’s disease, etc.
- Patients under cancer treatment.
- Patients with immunological disorders
- Patients under immuno suppressants.
- Immuno compromised patients.
- There are some other general conditions that can be evaluated well before planning treatment with Dental implants. These include:
- Diabetes
- Angina pectoris
- Drug and alcohol dependency
- Pregnancy
- Significant tobacco consumption
- Local contraindications for dental implants are:
- Insufficient healthy bone height or width. Although in some cases this problem can be overcome by bone grafting.
- Important anatomical structures like maxillary sinus, inferior alveolar nerve canal near the vicinity of implant procedure. In most of the cases again this could be overcome by sinus lift surgery.
- Hypersensitivity or allergy
- Involuntary grinding (bruxism) of teeth
- Disease related to oral mucosa like oral sub mucous fibrosis
- Poor oral hygiene
Although dental implants are not advisable to for children under 17-18 years age (until the bone formation is complete). But advanced age does not pose any problem with Dental implant placement if the individual has good overall and oral health.