Dental implants are the golden standard for restoring lost teeth. Imitating natural teeth in color, luster, shape, and function, they can bring new life to a smile and allow a patient to eat foods that were previously unchewable. With proper hygiene and maintenance, they can last for decades. As great as they are, not every patient is immediately ready to undergo the process. Here are the preliminary procedures that could be needed for you to receive dental implants.
Tooth Extraction
As strange as it sounds, you might need a tooth extraction before you can get a dental implant. A patient might require an extraction because of an infected or severely damaged tooth that needs to be replaced. Sometimes even healthy teeth need to be removed to make way for a full denture to restore an entire row of teeth.
Bone Grafting
After tooth loss, the jawbone structure that had supported the teeth begins to slowly atrophy, losing density, height, and width. If this goes on for a long time, the jaw might not have enough bone to host the dental implant. In these cases, grafting is necessary to rebuild the bone structure to a sufficient level.
The dentist or periodontist will place bone or a grafting material into the weakened part of the jawbone that will be receiving implants. The healing process can last up to eight months as the bone structures fuse together. After healing is complete, the jawbone will be ready to host dental implants.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is only necessary when replacing molars or premolars in the upper part of the mouth. The sinuses sit right on top of the jawbone, and placing implants into bone that is too thin can actually end up damaging the them. If this part of the upper jaw lacks sufficient bone density, or if the sinus is too close to the upper jaw, it will not have enough bone mass to support dental implants. A sinus lift is very similar to bone grafting, as the surgeon lifts the sinus membrane to create room for new bone that is grown thanks to the graft.
Dental implants can require some time for preparation, but the quality-of-life improvements they bring makes them well worth the wait and effort. Once they are in place, dental implants can easily last for 30 years with proper care and maintenance.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Tadros earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. While in dental school, he led two dental mission trips to Fiji, where he came to understand the positive difference he could make with his skills. His practice, Del Rey Dental, provides services in general, cosmetic, emergency, restorative dentistry, and dental implants. If you are curious about being a candidate for dental implants, contact him online or dial (469) 917-7444.