Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Things you once found difficult, like chewing your food, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence, will no longer be an issue. However, to get dental implants, your mouth must be in optimal condition for the highest chance of success. This means that you might need one or more of the following preliminary procedures. Continue reading to learn how they work.
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is incredibly common. In fact, it affects approximately half of Americans over the age of 30. Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and keeps them in place. The good news is that it is easily preventable. If you have gum disease, it’s important that you receive treatment before you can move forward with the dental implant process. Gum disease is the most common cause of dental implant failure. This is because the harmful bacteria that are present in gum disease will eventually attack the jawbone, compromising the foundation of the implants.
Tooth Extractions
There are various reasons why someone may require a tooth extraction before they can get dental implants. This could be the case if you have a severely damaged or infected tooth that needs to be replaced with an implant. Patients who need multiple dental implants to replace several missing or damaged teeth may require extractions as well.
Bone Grafting
When a tooth is missing, the surrounding jawbone structure is slowly reabsorbed by the body. This means that your bone density becomes weaker, while the height and width of the jawbone become smaller. The longer this area goes without a tooth or dental implant, the more it deteriorates. Bone grafting is often required to strengthen the jawbone to prepare your smile for dental implants. This procedure uses bone tissue from you, a human or animal donor, or synthetic materials to add more bone density to your jaw, allowing for a stronger foundation. After a few months of healing, you can move onto the next steps of the dental implant process.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is a specific type of bone grafting. This procedure is sometimes necessary when dental implants are to replace molars or premolars in the upper area of the mouth. Since the sinus is located directly above the jawbone, it must be positioned correctly so the implant doesn’t protrude into the sinus cavity and cause serious complications.
During your consultation with your dentist, they will let you know if any of the above preliminary treatments apply to you. You’ll have a complete smile in just a matter of time!
About the Practice
At Smile More Dentistry, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Tappan area. We complete the entire dental implant process at their practice, so you can get pretty much everything you need under one roof. To learn more about dental implants and preliminary procedures, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (845) 675-1512.