Dental Implants – After previous extractions
If you have a missing tooth, you likely want it replaced as soon as possible. After all, a gap can affect the aesthetic appearance of your smile, and you may struggle to chew or bite food. A dental implant is the best tooth-replacement option for this. It’s designed to last a lifetime with over a 98% success rate, meaning that it’s safe for most people.
For starters, a tooth implant is a minor surgery where a dentist inserts a small titanium post in the jawbone beneath your gums. An implant mimics the shape and structure of your natural teeth. If you just had a tooth removed, read this to learn more about dental implants – after previous extractions.
Know whether you are a candidate for a dental implant
A commonly asked question is, “is it possible to have a dental implant placed immediately after the tooth is removed?” Well, it’s easy to understand why people hope the two can be done in a single procedure. Well, this depends on the condition of the underlying bone and the severity of the infection.
If it’s possible, your dental surgeon will offer the option of an immediate implant after tooth extractions. The main determinants are bone density, the quality of the underlying bone, and whether there’s an infection in the gum or bone. If the area is healthy, then an extraction and implant can be done at the same time.
Often, patients need to wait up to 10 weeks after the tooth extraction before the implants can be placed. The waiting period allows the mouth to heal. If your tooth was removed a long time ago, it’s normal for the surrounding bone to shrink, leaving you with insufficient bone to support an implant.
If the bone density is low, you will need a bone graft to have a tooth implant be successful. Grafting is a procedure where a dental surgeon places a laboratory-processed bone grafting material to increase bone dimension. Bone grafting takes several months to heal and bond with the jawbone for a successful dental implant.
The procedure
Once the area has been cleaned, gaps (if any) filled in the bone, and healing has taken place, it’s time for an implant placement during a minor in-office surgical procedure. During the surgery, your oral surgeon makes a small cut to open the gum and expose the jawbone beneath the site. A hole is drilled for the implant to be inserted and then covered and left to heal through the process of osseointegration.
This is the process where the jawbone unites with the surface of the implant to help provide a strong base to support your new tooth. Since you still have the missing tooth gap, your dentist may attach a healing abutment that can be covered with a temporary crown. This could last for a few months before the final crown is placed.
Final word
Dental implants have a high success rate, which is why we recommend them for anyone dealing with teeth gaps. Schedule a visit with your oral surgeons to know whether or not and how soon you can get a dental implant placed.
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