Before you can show up, plop yourself down in our chair, and announce that you’re ready for your dental implant placement, there may be a few things we’ll need to schedule first. Of course, some smiles are already prepared and ready to go! If not, though, do not worry. It’s quite common to require other treatments before your smile is in optimal condition for placement. Consider a few things for a better understanding of how the process might work!
#1: Dental Extractions
Why are you coming to see us for a dental implant? Is it for a diseased tooth? If so, it may need an extraction before the site is ready for the implant. This is normal and often part of the process. Or, perhaps you are looking to replace a full arch of teeth with an implant-retained full denture but one single tooth stands in the way. In some cases, the best approach is to remove the tooth and then move forward with your plans.
#2: Bone Grafting
You have likely heard mention of bone grafting but might not know what it’s all about. When a patient loses a tooth or multiple teeth, or when periodontal disease affects one’s oral health to a significant degree, jaw health may decline. When the volume and strength of the jaw tissue is damaged, the jawbone is not ready to support dental implants. Fortunately, grafting helps to rebuild and sometimes regenerate the tissue, so your jaw is ready for the implant.
#3: Smoking Cessation
Smoking is bad all around for your oral health and can make surgery particularly difficult. While you may not have to quit entirely, you will need to at least temporarily stop smoking for weeks before, during, and after surgery. Otherwise, the procedure of placing the implant and then allowing osseointegration to take place will be too risky. Smoking slows your mouth’s healing, which is bad news for implants.
See Us For Implant Information Today!
If you’re interested in dental implants but you just don’t know much about possible prep work, ask us about the details, so you feel fully educated. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.