Dental implants are one of the strongest methods of replacing a tooth, allowing you to restore both the aesthetics and strength of your smile better than basically anything else. However, as with any structure, their strength comes from a solid foundation.
As a result, some people may need to prepare a little bit before getting their dental implants. If your teeth or jaw aren’t in the best condition, there are several treatments that could get you there. Here are a few examples.
Tooth Extractions Before Dental Implants
Dental implants are used often to replace teeth that have recently been lost, but in some circumstances, you may have to make a plan to replace teeth that haven’t been removed yet. If you have a tooth that is seriously infected or on the verge of failure, it’s common for dentists to recommend extracting it and putting a dental implant in its place.
In this case, you’ll obviously need to have a tooth extraction performed before getting your dental implant.
Bone Grafts for Dental Implants Support
The primary reason why dental implants are as strong as they are has to do with their connection to the jawbone. However, one of the things that happens often when people lose their teeth is that their jawbone begins to shrink from disuse.
As a consequence, you may not have jaw strength to support a dental implant. In that case, you might need a bone graft.
A dentist will take a small fraction of bone from elsewhere in the body, or a synthetic bone-like material, and surgically place it in the area of the jaw that needs support. After a period of healing, your jaw will be considerably stronger than it would be otherwise.
Sinus Lifts For Dental Implant Security
Sinus lifts are a lot like bone grafts, but are used for a little bit more of a specialized purpose. In particular, they’re done when a dental implant is being placed in the upper jaw.
The sinuses are located all across the face, and one of the largest sinus cavities is right next to the upper jaw. If your bone has degraded, there is sometimes a risk of the dental implant penetrating the upper jaw when nothing is done.
A sinus lift consists of a bone graft on the jaw and surgically moving the sinus away from the mouth. Once you’ve healed, you’ll be able to get your dental implant with minimal risk of complications.
About Our Practice
Welcome to Bridge Mill Dental Care! We are a one-stop-shop for everything dentistry, so no matter what it is that you need to make a marked improvement in your oral health, we have the tools and expertise necessary to support you. When you bring your family to our dental office, you’ll find a team of incredible oral health professionals ready to address your oral health needs.
If you have any questions about dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (803) 650-3925.