Getting A Dental Implant Years After Tooth Extraction
Due to the durability and natural appearance they offer, dental implants have become one of the most popular tooth replacement treatments among adults in the United States. A dental implant is a post, often made from titanium, that is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. After the surgery, the titanium material will integrate with the jaw bone in a process called osseo-integration. This fusing between the post and the bone is what makes dental implants so stable and secure. Many people have teeth extracted, and for a number of reasons, wait months or even years to have their teeth replaced. If you had a tooth extracted years ago and are interested in getting a dental implant, below is more information for you.
Why a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is designed to permanently replace a missing tooth. The replacement procedure involves placing a metal post in the gums to act as the root of the new tooth. Once the post is securely fused in the jaw, an artificial crown, or fake tooth, can be attached to the post. Artificial crowns are expertly crafted to look like real teeth. Dental implants offer a permanent tooth replacement that is stable, durable, and looks just like a real tooth. There are alternative tooth replacement options available that require less work to install, but that are less permanent and not as durable.
Is it Too Late for A Dental Implant?
The short answer is that it is never too late for a dental implant, if your gums are healthy enough. Whether or not you’ve waited a long time after a tooth extraction procedure, will not impact your eligibility for dental implant treatment. There are a number of factors that your dentist will consider when deciding if you are eligible for dental implants. But regardless of the number of years you’ve delayed replacing your missing teeth, you can still get your dental implant treatment.
Factors that Influence Eligibility for Dental Implant Treatment
The biggest factor a dental provider will consider when deciding if a patient is eligible for dental implant treatment is the health of the potential patient. This is because the oral health of the patient is what really determines the success or failure of the implant treatment. There are many health-related issues that a provider will want to assess that will impact the success of the dental implant treatment, including:
* The bone density of the jawbone
* If the patient has gum disease
* If the patient smokes or takes medications
* The way the patient’s body heals
* If the patient has a chronic health condition like diabetes
How To Prepare for Dental Implant Treatment
The most important step to prepare for the dental implant procedure, is to have a thorough discussion with the dental provider. This discussion is important to make sure you understand what is involved in the treatment plan, recovery timeline, and what to expect from the process. Once your dentist has decided on your treatment plan they will walk you through every step from the day before the surgery to completion.