Are you a Candidate for an Implant Bridge?
Portland, OR
 Dental implants are the most popular and effective means of replacing lost teeth and keeping your jaw bone healthy. But for those who have lost multiple teeth, replacing each one with a dental implant gets very expensive. Alternatively, we offer dental implant bridges, which allow us to replace an entire row of missing teeth with a prosthetic bridge that is supported by only two implants.
Qualifications of Good Candidates
Before we begin the procedure to install dental implants, we need to assess whether or not you’re a good candidate for this form of treatment. An ideal candidate should have:
~Adequate bone mass to hold the implants in the jaw. IF you don’t have enough bone, you can still receive implants but we may need to schedule a bone graft procedure.
~Healthy gums
~Proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing daily and biannual dental visits) and the determination to take proper care of your prosthetic teeth and the nearby gums.
Potential Complications
While most people are good candidates for implant surgery, others are not. Here are some examples:
~Young people whose jaw bones are still developing
~Pregnant women
~Patients receiving high doses of radiation treatment for their heads or necks
~People with bruxism (tooth grinding), which puts too much pressure on the implants and increases the chances of failure
~Patients who take steroids or certain drugs that suppress their immune system
~People who smoke heavily, as smoking slows down the healing process and increase the chance of implant failure.
~Alcoholics or substance abusers who aren’t able to follow Dr. Jay P. Malmquist’s post-op instructions (such as abstaining from smoking or drugs) or return for follow-up appointments.
~People with chronic or systemic diseases, such as hemophilia, connective-tissue diseases, uncontrolled diabetes or significant immune deficiencies.
You can still qualify for dental implants if you have one or more of these conditions. During your consultation, Dr. Jay P. Malmquist will examine the extent and severity of your individual case and make an appropriate judgment.
The Consultation
The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jay P. Malmquist so he can assess your general health, dental health, list of current medications, and medical history. He will then share this information with and coordinate with the other members of our team, who have specialized roles to play throughout this process.
Your primary assessment will involve an examination of your teeth and mouth, including x-rays and a potential computed tomography (CT) scan. This will allow us to gather the necessary information on how much bone you have in your jaw, its shape, and where your sinuses and nerves are located. If you don’t have enough bone, you may need a bone graft before the implant procedure proper.
But before we make any decisions, Dr. Jay P. Malmquist will explain your options to you in detail, including costs and potential side-effects and complications. If you’re a good candidate for an implant bridge and pick that option, we’ll work with you to put together a treatment plan based on your needs and preferences.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call (503) 446-6776. We offer cosmetic and restorative services like single tooth implants, zygomatic implants, and all on 4 after care.
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