Dental Implant Risk Assessment

1. Loss of tooth/teeth due to gum disease?
2. Tooth/teeth lost more than 3 years?
3. Less than 8mm bone width?
4. Less than 5mm bone width?
5. Less than 3mm bone width?
6. Active gum disease?
7. Thin gums/gum shrinkage?
8. Mouth opening limited?
9. Diabetes?
10. Smoker?
11. Unconscious tooth grinding?
12. Upper front teeth to be restored?
13. Upper back teeth close to sinus to be restored?
14. Lower back teeth close to nerve to be restored?
15. Extensive bone grafting required?

The more yes answers you have, the higher your chances of experiencing complications from dental implant treatment. Some of these complications are experienced during surgery and some are experienced during or after crown or bridge restoration. Complications related to unstable aesthetics or implant exposure after a few years may also appear. Dental implants are now the in thing in dentistry. Many suppliers go out of their way to promote implants and in doing so, some of the risks and problems are relegated to “fine print’ status. Be sure to consult a practitioner you can trust to help you assess your risks.