When you attend your dental implant consultation, you might expect that your oral surgeon will start planning for your implant surgery right away. However, you could be surprised to find out that you actually need one or more preliminary procedures before you move forward with tooth replacement! Indeed, some patients require bone grafting, tooth extractions, or gum disease treatment. This blog post provides an overview of each of these services.
Bone Grafting: Restoring Essential Support
Over time, bone can deteriorate due to tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma. Bone grafting is often necessary when such factors cause your jawbone to lack the density or volume required to support a dental implant. Without adequate bone, the implant may not have a stable foundation.
There are multiple types of bone grafts. For example, you might need one to preserve the socket of a missing tooth. Or, you could need a sinus lift to enlarge the upper jawbone and prevent implants from penetrating your sinus membrane. Ridge augmentation, which widens the part of your bone where implants will be placed, is also necessary in some situations.
Your oral surgeon will evaluate the condition of your jawbone and recommend the most appropriate type of graft for your situation. Some grafts can be performed simultaneously with implant placement. In other instances, a healing period is necessary before implants can be placed.
Tooth Extractions: Removing Obstacles to Your New Smile
Before receiving dental implants, you might need one or more teeth extracted. This step is necessary if a tooth is severely damaged, decayed, or otherwise beyond saving. Additionally, teeth that impede the placement of an implant may also need to be removed.
Your oral surgeon will remove the problematic tooth or teeth with precision to minimize damage to surrounding tissues. In some cases, dental implants can be placed immediately after an extraction. In other cases, a waiting period between the two procedures is necessary.
Treatment for Gum Disease: Addressing Periodontal Health
Gum disease can infect the soft tissues and bone surrounding an implant, potentially causing it to fail. Therefore, it is important that your mouth be free of any active gum infections before you get your missing teeth replaced.
Mild cases of gum disease, known as gingivitis, may be treated through professional cleanings and improved oral hygiene. More advanced stages, known as periodontitis, might require scaling and root planing to remove bacteria below the gumline. In some cases, surgical intervention may be needed to repair damage to the gums and underlying bone.
Your oral surgery team wants your dental implant treatment to succeed. You can be grateful for preliminary procedures that will support the long-term success of your new smile.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Steve Koo, Thomas Weil, and William Shepard are the three oral surgeons in our practice. Under their leadership, our team offers dental implant placement, bone grafting, tooth extractions, and a range of other advanced services. If you are ready to replace your lost teeth, we would be happy to consult with you. Contact our Houston office at 713-783-5560.