Before having dental implants put in, you have to be prepared for the surgery. The chances are good you'll be approved for the surgery if you have had oral surgery before or have successfully undergone surgeries where you needed general anesthesia. The chances are also good if you currently have no severe oral health needs beyond getting dental implants.

However, there are some barriers that you need to consider when you get dental implant surgery. The sooner you address the following oral health concerns, the sooner you can be able to have your dental implants put in successfully.

Any underlying medical conditions

Are you diabetic? Have high blood pressure? Have reactions to certain metals or anesthetic solutions? If you have medical conditions or serious concerns regarding surgical procedures, discuss them with your oral surgeon before you have dental implant surgery. Your conditions will have to be well-controlled and you may need a doctor's clearance before having dental implants put in, particularly if the surgery is not considered high priority.

Keep in mind that dental implant surgery can take a long time to heal from, especially if you have an autoimmune disorder or you are prone to infection easily. Should you have dental implants put in while your medical conditions are controlled, you can have better success and enjoy your dental implants more.

Any current dental concerns

Dental implants are put in place via screwing an implant post through your gum tissue and into your jawbone. After this post is in place, ceramic dental caps that replicate real teeth can be put in place to complete the procedure.

If you currently have gum disease or a deteriorating jawbone, your oral surgeon will want to hold off on any dental implant surgery until these issues have been remedied or addressed. This means you may need a bone graft if your jawbone is weak or you may need antibiotics or a deep cleaning if you have gum disease prior to having your dental implant surgery done.

Other dental concerns include taking care of any existing cavities or taking care of cracked or chipped teeth. Your existing teeth should be in good repair before exploring dental implants to keep your entire mouth healthy.

Your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for dental implant surgery once you have completed all the health tasks required to have dental implants put in. Aftercare is just as important as your dental implant surgery preparation, so keep this in mind as you explore your dental implants options. For more information, contact a clinic like Elite Smile Center.