Whether you had a tooth extraction one month, one year, or one decade ago, you can still be a candidate for dental implants if you’re in good health.
At Excel Dentistry in Glen Rock, NJ, Dr. Mayra Modesto-Garrido is skilled at providing patients with the best advice possible on preparing for dental implants and the crowns, bridges, or dentures that will help restore the integrity of their jawbone, facial symmetry, and smile.
WHAT IF I WAITED YEARS AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION TO GET AN IMPLANT?
It’s true that you should inquire about a dental implant soon after getting a tooth extraction. Once a tooth is pulled, its roots are gone as well, and this can weaken the integrity of your jawbone over time. It can also have an effect on your face, and you may see facial asymmetry, shifting teeth, sinking cheeks, or more pronounced jowls over time.
However, just because you’ve waited many years after extraction to inquire about a dental implant doesn’t mean smile restoration is out of the question. It may take extra dental work to get your jaw and mouth ready to accommodate an implant and a new tooth, but Dr. Modesto-Garrido has the expertise to make it happen.
HOW DOES DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY WORK YEARS AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION?
The first thing Dr. Modesto-Garrido will do is take your medical history to ensure you are not pregnant, using tobacco, or have another health problem that might complicate or postpone dental implant surgery. Then, the doctor will assess the bone density of your jaw and the rest of your teeth to see how things have weakened or shifted over time.
In some cases, other dental work will be required before placing an implant. One common procedure is a bone graft, which requires taking a small piece of bone from another healthy area of your body and placing it on the jaw to strengthen or widen the jawbone.
A dental implant needs to heal into the jawbone, so the area has to be strong enough to hold it in place. Luckily, bone regenerates, so the area from which the new bone is taken (typically a place like the hip) will heal.
Another surgery you may need years after extraction is a sinus lift. These procedures sound intimidating, but they’re performed all the time, and the benefits of restoring your full smile typically outweigh the risks for healthy patients.
HOW LONG IS THE PROCEDURE TO GET AN IMPLANT AND REPLACE A LOST TOOTH OR TEETH?
If it has been several years since your tooth extraction, a bone graft, sinus lift, implant, and placement of a crown, bridge, or denture, can take up to a year to complete. Dr. Modesto-Garrido will create a treatment plan to inform you of all the details before proceeding with your treatment.
All patients should make an informed decision about dental implant surgery. But since dental technology has advanced over the years, procedures are far less painful than most people imagine. Waiting a few extra months to restore something as important as your smile is considered worth it and can improve your oral health.
GET DENTAL IMPLANTS IN GLEN ROCK, NJ
No matter how long it’s been since you’ve had a tooth or teeth extracted, Dr. Mayra Modesto-Garrido is here to help. Even if you need extra dental work, an implant may still be possible. If it’s not, you’ll be informed of all of your options so you can regain your confidence and your smile.
To get started, schedule a consultation at Excel Dentistry in Glen Rock, NJ today.