One of the reasons why dental implants have grown so popular over the years is because they can be the ideal solution for many patients who’ve lost teeth and want to replace them. That’s because they aren’t designed according to how many teeth you’ve lost, but rather the need to give your dental prosthesis a more biocompatible and root-like support system. To do this, dental implants allow your jawbone to fuse to them after they’ve been placed. The success of this process, known as osseointegration, also depends on ensuring that your oral health is prepared to accept and support your dental implants.
You need to extract one or more teeth first
Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons, and in many cases, the tooth is actually extracted because it can’t be saved. If you’ve lost some teeth and also have one or more others that are no longer able to function properly, then it may be a good idea to extract the compromised teeth and replace them, as well. For optimal results, we can plan to place your dental implants as soon as possible after tooth extraction, minimizing the impact that the loss of the tooth can have on your jawbone and surrounding oral structures.
You have to treat existing gum disease
Depending on the cause of your tooth loss, you may have to address the underlying oral health condition before you can proceed with replacing your lost tooth or teeth. This is especially true if the cause of your tooth loss is severe gum disease – the most common cause of tooth loss for adults. Gum disease is a destructive condition that affects the gums, periodontal ligaments, and jawbone structure that support your teeth. It will continue to erode these structures even after one or more teeth are lost or extracted. That means you’ll have to get it under control before you can receive and support your dental implants.
You need to boost your jawbone’s density
If you’ve treated your gum disease, but your jawbone has already lost some of its mass and density, then this may also impact your ability to get dental implants right away. The jawbone structure supporting your dental implants has to be strong enough to fuse to their surfaces and keep them steady. If your jawbone has grown significantly weaker, than you might require grafting to boost its strength before it can be ready to receive dental implant posts.
Learn if dental implants are right for you
To ensure the success of your dental implants, we’ll perform a thorough examination to check for any conditions that should be addressed, first. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.