For one reason or another, the timing was never quite right for you to replace your missing teeth with dental implants. Now, years have gone by, and you’re worried that you might no longer be a good candidate for treatment. Will you simply have to settle for a set of traditional dentures?
As it turns out, you might not be “too late” after all! With some strategic treatment planning, your dentist can help you successfully receive a dental implant restoration.
Consequences of Prolonged Tooth Loss
It’s true that going a long time without replacing missing teeth can have some negative consequences. Your remaining natural teeth may have shifted to try and fill in your dental gaps, for example, or lack of proper stimulation may have caused your jawbone to shrink. Maybe you’ve even developed a case of cavities, gum disease, or oral infection.
Since dental implants need space, a certain amount of jawbone support, and a healthy smile, these complications can make it difficult – but not impossible! – to have a successful treatment.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Fortunately, there are several different ways your dentist can help! By including preliminary treatments into your dental implant plan, your dentist can fortify your smile and promote a smooth recovery. Depending on your needs, they might recommend:
- Tooth extraction or orthodontics. Removing and repositioning your crooked teeth can “free up” the space taken over by dental drift.
- Bone grafting. If your jawbone has thinned, your dentist can take bone material from an outside source and fuse it to your jaw.
- Fillings. Cavities won’t affect your dental implants directly, but if decay weakens the teeth nearby, your implant could lose support and fall out.
- Gum disease therapy. Your gums are also important for holding dental implants in place, so if they’re diseased, you may need a deep cleaning or antibiotics to eliminate the harmful bacteria.
- Root canal. Oral infections can easily spread from the inside of a natural tooth to your gums, ligaments, and bone. A root canal can put a stop to the spread and preserve your smile’s structural integrity.
Basically, even if you’re not a good candidate for dental implants at the moment, your dentist might be able to help you qualify! Be sure to check in with them and discuss your concerns before jumping to conclusions.
About the Author
Dr. Yonatan Pevzner has advanced training in oral surgery, dental implants, and other complex dental treatments. He’s also a proud member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. If you’ve had missing teeth for a long time, Dr. Pevzner would be happy to meet with you and evaluate what can be done to help you have a successful dental implant treatment. To contact his office for an appointment, call 512-451-4412.