Losing a tooth can affect more than just your smile; it can impact your confidence, your ability to chew, and your overall oral health. If you are missing one or more teeth, you might be wondering about the best way to restore your smile. Dental implants are a modern, durable, and transformative solution that looks and feels just like natural teeth. At Your Time Dental, Dr. Rick Kernagis and our team are dedicated to helping patients in Gibsonton, Lithia, and the greater South Tampa area explore this life-changing option.
But are dental implants the right choice for you? Let’s go through a simple checklist to see if you are a good candidate.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
A good candidate for dental implants typically has healthy gums, sufficient jawbone density, excellent oral hygiene, and a commitment to maintaining long-term dental health
Before we dive into the checklist, it’s crucial to understand why addressing a missing tooth is so important. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. This bone loss can cause adjacent teeth to shift, leading to misalignment and bite problems. Replacing a missing tooth helps maintain bone structure, keeps your other teeth in proper alignment, and restores full chewing functionality.
Your Dental Implant Candidacy Checklist
Dental implants have a high success rate, but certain factors are key to ensuring a positive outcome. Here’s what we look for:
1. Good Oral Health
A healthy mouth is the foundation for a successful implant. Your gums should be free from periodontal disease. Active gum disease can compromise the healing process and the long-term stability of the implant. If you have any signs of gum disease, we will address that first to create a healthy environment for your new tooth.
2. Sufficient Jawbone Density
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone. For the implant to be secure, you need enough healthy bone to support it. Bone density can decrease after a tooth has been missing for a while. Dr. Kernagis will use advanced imaging to assess your jawbone. If your bone density is low, a bone graft procedure can often build it up, making you an eligible candidate.
3. Good Overall Health
Your body’s ability to heal is a vital part of the implant process. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases can affect healing and the success of osseointegration—the process where the implant fuses with your jawbone. It’s important to discuss your complete medical history with us so we can determine if implants are a safe option for you.
4. Commitment to Oral Hygiene
Long-term success depends on excellent care. Dental implants require the same care as natural teeth, including daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. A commitment to maintaining your oral hygiene will ensure your implant and surrounding teeth stay healthy for years to come.
Restore Your Smile in Gibsonton
If you’re missing teeth and looking for a permanent solution, dental implants could be the answer. They provide the strength, stability, and appearance of natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with renewed confidence.
The best way to know for sure if you are a candidate is to have a professional evaluation. At Your Time Dental, Dr. Rick Kernagis provides personalized care to patients throughout South Tampa.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule your tooth implant consultation in Gibsonton and discover how we can help you achieve a healthy, complete smile.
Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:
LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):
SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON
13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128
FISHHAWK – LITHIA
5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128





