Many people get dental implants right when they lose their tooth. It can be done during the same procedure as your old tooth was extracted. But what if you don’t get dental implants right away? Can you still get them placed later? Even years later?
The answer is: yes. Most people can get dental implants even years after their natural tooth was extracted. But there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Are You Still Healthy?
One of the biggest limitations for dental implant candidates is that you have to be healthy enough for surgery. We’ll talk to you about your health, and, if we have any concerns, we may ask you to get checked by your doctor before surgery.
We will also evaluate your oral health. Gum disease is the leading cause of dental implant failure, so we want to make sure your mouth is generally free of gum disease. We’ll be especially careful about the site of the implant. Sometimes, dentures or a dental bridge can encourage gum disease at the site of a lost tooth.
We’ll also talk to you about medications that you may be taking. These can sometimes increase the risk of dental implant failure. The biggest concern is antidepressants, although other medications may also cause concerns.
Do You Have Enough Bone?
When you lose a tooth, your body can immediately begin removing the bone that used to support the tooth. From the perspective of your body, that bone isn’t necessary, so the resources are better used elsewhere.
Dentures and dental bridges don’t stimulate the bone where the tooth used to be. In fact, poorly fitting dentures can actually speed up bone loss.
Dental implants depend on your jawbone for support. If you don’t have enough bone at the implant site, it doesn’t mean you can’t get implants. Instead, it just means that you may need a bone graft, performed as a separate procedure, before you get your implants.
This can mean it will take a little longer, up to a few months, to get your implants, but it’s worth it.
How Is Your Bite?
Another problem that can occur if you have poorly fitting dentures is an imbalanced bite. If your denture didn’t properly support your bite, you might have developed unhealthy bite habits that can hurt your dental implants.
Fortunately, we can balance your bite and protect your implants and your natural teeth–if you still have some.
Trust Your Implants to an Expert
If you are considering dental implants in Rockland County, it’s important to choose your implant dentist carefully. Dr. Mark Dunayer at B & D Dental Excellence has over 30 years’ experience placing dental implants, making him one of the most experienced implant dentists in the country, let alone Rockland County. To learn more about Dr. Dunayer’s qualifications and how he can help you get great results with your implants, please call (845) 627-7645 today to schedule an appointment.
