Can People with Heart Disease Get Dental Implants?

Do you have a chronic heart disease that seems to be limiting you from living the kind of life you would want? When seeking dental care from Little Rock dentists, know the limits of dental protocols for patients with heart disease. Besides, if you must get dental implants near you, shouldn’t you know as much as possible about them especially when you have a lingering heart condition?

What Are Dental Implants?

They are small metal posts for replacing teeth in restorative dentistry. Dental implants feature titanium metal created into a screw-like post that replaces tooth roots. Ideally, Little Rock dental implants are ideal for tooth replacement when used with other dental restorations like dental crowns. The implant will replace the tooth root, while the dental crown replaces the enamel by crowning the tooth implant. The result is a permanent artificial tooth that closely matches the appearance, stability, and functionality of teeth. Although dental restorations cannot match the stability and sturdiness of natural teeth, they come pretty close.

Common Types of Dental Implants in Restorative Dentistry

You must learn about the three common types of dental implants to make an informed decision about your procedure. However, rest assured that our dental experts at Knight Dental Care will not leave the bulk of decision-making to you. They walk with you throughout the tooth replacement journey from the beginning until the end. The initial step will entail uncovering the types of oral implants you can get:

1. Endosteal implants – are the most common types, typically featuring small screws. Endosteal implants are what many people talk about when they refer to dental implants. They are installed in the jawbone, then allowed to integrate properly for about three months as your mouth heals. Afterward, a dental crown will cover the implant to complete the procedure.
2. Subperiosteal implants – Dentists usually use these implants as an alternative to Endosteal implants. These dental implants are not placed in the jawbone. Instead, the dentist will erect the metal post on top of the jawbone, underneath the gums. Therefore, Subperiosteal implants are not as stable as Endosteal implants. However, the procedure is more friendly to conservative patients who dread the thought of prolonged procedures. Besides, if you do not have enough jawbone to support an Endosteal implant, you would require bone grafting surgery before getting implants. In that case, a Subperiosteal implant will be better to avoid bone grafting surgery.
3. Zygomatic implants – are the rarest types of implants for teeth. Instead of targeting the jawbone for the surgery, the dentist places the dental implant on the cheekbone. It is a very complicated and risky surgery that many dentists discourage unless it is the best solution.

Implantation Surgeries for Heart Disease Patients

If you have a heart condition, your doctor will advise against any intense medical processes. Extreme physical exertion can exacerbate your heart’s condition and worsen the underlying problem. Therefore, if you can avoid surgery, you should avoid it. Severally, dentists will recommend alternative tooth replacement procedures for heart disease patients. You can get dentures or dental bridges to replace your missing teeth.

However, it does not mean that you cannot undergo a dental implant procedure. It only means that the procedure may be complicated, and the dentist must exercise tremendous caution during the treatment.

How Heart Disease Patients Can Undergo Dental Implant Procedures Safely

1. Find an experienced oral surgeon – entrust your treatment protocol to a dentist with vast experience regarding dental implants for high-risk patients. If they have done it before, they can do it again with you, with slimmer chances of complications.
2. Be transparent about everything – let your dentist know about all the medication you are taking and your lifestyle habits. They will impact the decision (s)he makes regarding the surgery.
3. Choose the less invasive surgery – get Subperiosteal implants since they do not require drilling through the jawbone. It also means that you will have a shorter recovery period, ideal for your heart’s health. Besides, your dentist can recommend a flapless procedure for Endosteal implants. The process entails drilling directly through the gum tissue without cutting it open. This process reduces bleeding and postoperative pain,