Tooth loss can have a drastic impact on your life, but it isn’t always straight forward to address. For this reason, many patients tend to put off replacing their missing teeth with restorations like a dental bridge or denture. However, they’ll decide years later, after facing the impact of gaps in their smiles, will decide that a leading-edge tooth loss treatment like dental implants is a worthwhile investment. At this point, though, is the decision to restore their smile too late? Read on to learn what happens if you wait too long to get dental implants.
Missing Teeth & Changes in Oral Anatomy
Tooth loss does more than just impact your emotional well-being, increasing your chances of experiencing sadness and depression. It can also affect your overall oral health and even lead to changes in your oral anatomy.
Over time, having gaps in your mouth can result in several changes in your sinuses, jawbone density, and more that could impact your candidacy for dental implants. Some of these ramifications include:
- Jawbone deterioration. When a tooth’s roots are no longer anchored to an area of the jawbone, it will cause that part of the bone to deteriorate with time. This is because it’s not receiving enough stimulation or blood flow.
- Shifting teeth.Existing teeth will naturally shift to fill in gaps left by missing teeth, affecting overall alignment, and sometimes even causing an imbalance of the bite.
- Sinus movement. The maxillary sinuses are located just above the top jawbone. If this bone has deteriorated due to missing teeth, it could cause them to lower, increasing the risk of placing a dental implant.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most patients are good candidates for dental implants, even if they’ve lived with gaps in their smile for years. Here are some features that dentists typically look for:
- Good oral hygiene habits.
- Dense enough jawbone.
- Any autoimmune conditions are being actively treated.
- Any existing dental issues, like gum disease, are being treated.
- Willingness to quit smoking or using other tobacco products.
Even if you’re not a good candidate off the bat, preparatory treatments and lifestyle changes can help you get there.
When are Preparatory Treatments Necessary to Get Implants?
One of the most common preparatory treatments needed for patients who have been missing teeth for awhile and are looking to get dental implants is bone grafting. This treatment is utilized to help improve the density of the jawbone in order for the implant posts to successfully integrate with the bone, called osseointegration. This part of the treatment is critical to the long-term success of your new smile.
It’s not always the case that those who have been missing teeth for awhile need preparatory procedures to be considered for dental implants. The best way to learn what your unique treatment journey will look like is to consult with your dentist in Irving directly. During your visit, they’ll outline a treatment plan for you so you know exactly what to expect!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has been practicing for over a decade and has completed additional training to offer a wide range of benefits in-house, including dental implant placement and restoration. He also partners with expert oral surgeons in the area to offer preparatory treatments like bone grafting, sinus lifts, and more. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.