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Dental implants have revolutionized modern dentistry, offering a durable and natural-looking solution for replacing missing teeth. However, there are several preliminary steps that may be necessary before a patient can be eligible for dental implants, in order to ensure the lasting success of these nifty metal posts. Continue reading below for a closer look at a few of these procedures and why they may be necessary – along with why you don’t need to worry about them!
1. Tooth Extractions
It may sound a little counterintuitive to need to remove teeth in order to replace your missing ones, but tooth extractions are sometimes a requirement for dental implants. It might be needed if the patient has a severely damaged or decayed tooth that needs to be replaced, in addition to their lost ones. It also might be required to remove healthy teeth in order to make room for an intended dental restoration. This procedure can vary in intensity from patient to patient, but in most cases, teeth can be extracted with forceps. In more serious cases, surgical extraction might be required.
2. Supplemental Bone Grafting
When teeth fall out, the surrounding jawbone structure begins to deteriorate slowly. As this happens, the bone density will become weaker and the jawbone can actually shrink. Without a tooth or dental implant, this problem will only worsen. However, sometimes a bone graft might be necessary before a dental implant can be placed, to ensure that there’s enough bone to support the post. This process involves borrowing and outsourcing bone material and using it to fortify the weakened area in the jaw. The new bone will fuse with the old bone, and once completely healed, a dental implant can be safely placed.
3. Sinus Lifts
The sinus lift procedure is quite similar to bone grafting. It’s usually needed when placing dental implants in the upper part of the mouth, if the bone density in the back upper part of the jaw isn’t strong enough to support implants. If the patient has a larger-than-normal sinus, they might also need this procedure. The actual surgery increases the bone structure between the jawbone and sinus cavity, making a suitable spot for dental implants to be placed.
During your consultation, your dentist will review any present conditions that might require one of these treatments. Rest assured, they’ve got your smile’s best interest in mind; it needs to be ready to host your dental implants so that they serve you well for life!
About the Practice
The team at North Bethesda Dental and Implant Specialists has proudly served patients and families in the North Bethesda, MD area for several years, offering numerous premium solutions for replacing missing teeth including dental implants! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, feel free to visit their website or call them today for further information or assistance. Telephone: (240) 482-8244.