If you are dealing with tooth loss and have been looking for ways to restore them, you’ve likely run across dental implants. This restorative treatment is one of the most popular options available, as it acts and looks like your natural teeth. But if you have been missing teeth for years, you may wonder if you are still a good candidate for them. Read on to see how your dentist can help make you eligible for dental implants even after years of missing teeth.
It’s typically best to get a dental implant soon after losing a tooth since it helps prevent jawbone loss. Your natural teeth stimulate your jaw every time you bite and chew. Those actions tell your body that you are still using your jawbone, so nutrients and circulation continue to be sent, keeping it strong and healthy.
When you have a missing tooth, that part of the jaw isn’t getting the stimulation it needs. Your body starts to reallocate those minerals elsewhere, leading to a weakened jaw. Dental implants fuse to your jawbone in order to stay in place. Without sufficient jawbone density, they can fail and fall out of your mouth.
The good news is that even if you’ve been missing teeth for years and have low jawbone density, you can likely still benefit from dental implants! To overcome the lack of a sturdy jawbone and ensure your dental implants last a lifetime, your dentist may recommend one of two options: all-on-4 dental implants or a preliminary bone graft.
During a preliminary bone graft, bone tissue is taken from elsewhere in the body or from a donor and added to the areas of the jaw that have been weakened or lost. Your body uses this new tissue to grow and regenerate the affected area. After a few months, you will regain enough jawbone volume and density to support dental implants.
Alternatively, if you’re missing all of your teeth from one or both of your dental arches, you may be eligible for all-on-4 dental implants. For this unique technique, four dental implants are placed in specific areas of the jawbone that are naturally strong and thick. The angles of the dental implants that are placed allow them to take full advantage of your existing jawbone, providing complete support for a full denture, which can often be placed on the same day as your dental implant surgery! All-on-4 dental implants allow you to enjoy all the benefits of an implant denture without needing a bone graft first.
When you get dental implants, they can affect your life positively in many ways:
Even if you’ve been missing teeth for some time, it doesn’t mean you have to rule out dental implants! With your dentist’s help, you’ll be flashing a confident grin in no time.
At Weldon Dental of Rome, our dentists strive to help their patients achieve healthier smiles. Our very own Dr. Ryan Weldon has taken the time to learn advanced techniques and skills from some of the best dentists in the field to place dental implants, utilize bone grafting, and perform all-on-4 dental implant surgery! We offer dental implants, even having the tools and space to perform them in-house. If you’re looking to replace missing teeth, schedule an appointment or call us at (706) 232-2082.
Weldon Dental of Rome can be found along Martha Berry Blvd NE, near the intersection of N 5th Ave and W 11th Street. We’re only minutes away from the Publix Super Market at Charles High Square, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, and Heritage Park. If you see Divine Salon & Spa or The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, you’re in the right place! We can’t wait to welcome you in soon and help you get started on a brighter, healthier smile.
