Most people with good oral and overall health are candidates for dental implants. However, it’s not unusual to require a little prep work before your placement surgery. Your dentist will review a CT scan of your oral structures and perform a visual examination of your mouth to ensure they are right for you. Based on the results of their findings, they may determine you need preliminary procedures. Don’t worry! Here are the most common procedures that may be needed before getting dental implants.
Tooth Extractions
Dentists strive to preserve every natural tooth, but some teeth can be beyond repair. As a result, they will need to be removed before your placement surgery. In some situations, dentists may recommend the removal of healthy teeth to make room for implant dentures. Your mouth must be healed from tooth extractions before moving forward with dental implants.
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 50% of adults have a form of the infection. Therefore, it’s not unusual to need gum disease treatment before getting started with dental implants.
Your dentist will create a personalized treatment plan to stop the infection to restore your gum health. It’s essential you commit to good oral hygiene to prevent the infection from recurring.
Peri-implantitis is an infection like gum disease, which is a leading cause of dental implant failure. Brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly will keep the infection at bay.
Bone Grafting
Losing even one tooth causes your jaw to deteriorate slowly because it is not being stimulated by the root. You can lose up to 25% of your jaw density within the first year of missing the tooth. It will continue to shrink as time passes, which means you may not have sufficient bone density to support dental implants.
A CT scan will allow your dentist to see the health of your jaw to determine if bone grafting is necessary. The procedure uses your own bone or bone from a donor to strengthen weakened areas of your jaw. Once your bone has healed, your dental implants will have the support they need to succeed.
Sinus Augmentation
A sinus augmentation can be needed when placing dental implants in the upper arch. Bone loss can cause implants to protrude into the sinus cavities, leading to several serious complications.
A sinus augmentation lifts the maxillary sinuses to ensure there is sufficient space to place implant posts. Often, bone grafting is used along with a sinus lift.
Don’t fret if you need a little prep work before getting your dental implants. It is time well-spent to ensure your new smile can last for decades.
About Dr. Kyle Williams
After earning a degree in genetics, Dr. Williams achieved his dental degree at the University of Buffalo in New York. He has continued his education regularly to provide many specialty services, including sleep medicine, dental implants, sedation dentistry, and oral surgery. He is a proud member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (931) 548-6154.