Dental implants are often considered the gold standard of replacement teeth because of their unique advantages. Unlike dentures and bridges, they are surgically inserted into your jaw to function more like natural teeth.
But before you can be approved for this procedure, you must consult your provider to ensure you’re a good candidate. In some cases, additional services are required to improve your dental condition sufficiently to move forward. Continue reading to learn more about the different treatments that are sometimes necessary!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
These restorations are the only ones that involve placing support rods, typically made from titanium or zirconia, directly into your jaw. It can take 3 to 6 months to heal, because that’s often how long it takes your mouth to generate enough new bone to fully fuse with these poles in a process called osseointegration.
Then, depending on how many teeth went missing, your dentist can provide a customized dental crown, bridge, or dentures that attach to your implants to rebuild your smile.
What Procedures Are Needed for Dental Implant Success?
Before you can schedule your implant procedure, you must schedule a consultation with your dentist. During this visit, they’ll update your medical history and list any current prescriptions you’re taking to ensure you’re healthy enough to undergo oral surgery successfully.
They’ll also examine your mouth and may take X-rays or other scans to measure your jawbone density. Some patients require additional treatments to improve their dental condition enough to proceed, which can include:
- Bone grafting. Without roots of teeth to stimulate new bone growth each time you bite down, your jaw starts to thin. If it’s too frail to anchor your new teeth, you might need an additional bone graft procedure to bulk it up enough to proceed.
- Gum disease treatment. A deep cleaning can remove plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease, which can infect your implant and contribute to failure.
- Sinus lift. This might be necessary if the bone density of your upper jaw isn’t strong enough to anchor your restorations.
- Tooth extraction. If you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth or you’ve lost most, but not all, of your teeth, sometimes those that remain must be removed to prevent spreading cavities or make space for implant dentures to be successful.
Although not all patients will require additional procedures before having dental implants placed, it’s not uncommon. Only your dentist can let you know whether you’ll need to undergo other treatments before continuing with your elected restorations.
If you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants, you can learn more by contacting your dentist for a consultation!
Meet the Author
Dr. Benjamin Keyser is an accomplished oral surgeon who is passionate about helping improve his patients’ lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He then completed his specialty education in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and today, is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He uses advanced technology to deliver a variety of complex, orthodontic, and surgical procedures to help you build and maintain the strongest and most beautiful version of your smile. You can request an appointment on the website or call (781) 628-2268.