Which Procedures May I Need Before Getting Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the best way to replace lost teeth because they look and feel like the real thing and prevent bone loss in the jaw. The first step toward getting implants is having a consultation with your dentist so they can evaluate your mouth and determine if you are a good candidate. While some people may not be ready for them just yet, they may be able to become excellent implant candidates after receiving certain preliminary treatments. Here are a few procedures your dentist may recommend to prepare you for dental implants.

You May Need Tooth Extractions

It is sometimes necessary to remove teeth before placing dental implants. A few reasons for this include:

• The tooth is severely injured or infected, meaning that leaving it in may lead to the infection spreading and further tooth loss
• Room must be made for an implant-supported denture or dental bridge

The process of tooth extraction can vary from patient to patient, but it will usually involve grasping the troubled tooth with forceps and gently rocking it back and forth until the tooth is freed from its connective tissue. This will be performed after the patient receives an anesthetic treatment to render the process painless.

Reinforcing the Jaw Through Bone Grafting

Briefly after a tooth is lost, the jawbone that supported it begins to atrophy and recede due to the end of the exercise that comes with chewing. Over time, this can cause the neighboring teeth to drift out of alignment, putting them at greater risk of being lost due to injury and infection.

If you’ve gone a while with missing teeth, your dentist may have to recommend bone grafting treatments to reinforce your jaw before you receive dental implants. These procedures involve placing donated bone tissue along the thin jawbone and allowing the two to fuse together. This will give the implants sufficient bone tissue to bond with so they can develop the sturdy foundation they need to function just like real teeth.

Restoring Oral Health with Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss and dental implant failure. These infections begin as gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue, and they can usually be reversed in this early stage with improved oral hygiene. However, untreated gum disease will eventually develop into periodontitis which involves permanent damage such as gum recession, tooth loss, and jawbone erosion. Gum disease treatments such as scaling and root planing can eliminate the infection at its source and set you up for years with healthy implants.

Even if you’re not ready for implants when you first have your consultation, you may be able to become an excellent candidate after receiving a few preliminary treatments. With excellent care, dental implants can last for thirty years or even a lifetime.

About the Author

Dr. David S. Rosenfeld earned his dental degree from the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York City and completed a post-doctorate general practice residency at the Jamaica Hospital and Medical Center. After his residency, he was selected to be chief dental resident due to his exemplary performance. His office in Edison offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implants. To schedule your dental implant consultation, contact his office online or dial (908) 668-7838.