When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are the name of the game—thanks to their unique placement method directly into a patient’s jawbone, they offer root-to-crown tooth replacement that provides unmatched stability, lasting durability, and a beautiful, natural appearance that other solutions simply cannot offer. However, not everyone with missing teeth is immediately eligible for dental implants, and sometimes a certain preliminary procedure might be needed to help patients facilitate dental implants. Here’s more from your dentist about these procedures and why they might be necessary.
Dental Implants Require Healthy Circumstances
To put it simply, dental implants rely greatly on the patient having a healthy jawbone and other oral structures that can support them. Since the implant posts need to fuse with the healthy bone to provide a stable foundation for the replacement teeth, insufficient jawbone density, compromised gum tissue due to gum disease, or some other type of oral health issue will almost certainly complicate things. If the fusion of implant and bone, known as osseointegration, cannot occur, the implants won’t have a great chance of success.
Possible Preliminary Procedures You Might Need Before Getting Implants
A patient’s mouth must be healthy and properly suited for dental implants before they can receive them, and sometimes a preliminary procedure is necessary to achieve this. Here’s more about a few of the most common procedures that patients undergo in preparation for getting implants:
- Supplemental bone grafts – Having missing teeth doesn’t just affect how you talk or eat; the issue can actually cause your jawbone to deteriorate and weaken, often to the point of causing further tooth loss, facial collapse, and other issues. However, a bone graft can address this lack of jawbone density; by borrowing and repurposing existing bone, the jaw can be fortified in preparation for dental implants.
- Sinus lifts – These are fairly similar to bone grafts and are usually only needed when implants are being used to replace molars or premolars. The procedure creates room for implants by increasing the amount of bone structure between the jawbone and upper sinus.
- Tooth extractions – Sometimes natural teeth must be removed in order to create space for dental implants. This is often the case when a patient has a tooth that’s decayed or damaged beyond saving.
- Periodontal therapy – Gum disease also poses a major threat to dental implants, so patients with compromised gum health will need to undergo treatment before receiving implants.
If you’ve been hoping to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you shouldn’t feel alarmed if you need one of these procedures beforehand. They’re designed to safely and effectively prepare your mouth for dental implants and ensure their lasting success.
About the Author
The team at iSmile Dental Arts is thrilled to provide patients and families in the Williamstown, NJ community with an exceptional level of dental care! The practice is led by Dr. Wael M. Kassem, who received his dental doctorate from Temple University and is a proud member of several notable dental organizations including the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation to see if you’re eligible to receive them, you can contact Dr. Kassem through his practice’s website or over the phone for further assistance. Telephone: (856) 818-9998.
