If you dealt with tooth loss in the past, you may have found ways around dealing with the problems it caused. You might change the way you bite and chew into food, but if you are ready to fill in these gaps with dental implants, you may wonder if your chance to get them has long passed. Thankfully, you may still be eligible to get them. Keep reading to learn more about how.
What Does Missing Teeth Do to My Oral Health?
Ideally, it’s best to get this tooth replacement option as soon as possible after losing a tooth. That is because it helps avoid jawbone loss, which is commonly associated with missing teeth. The roots of your pearly whites stimulate your jaw with every bite and chew, telling your body to continue sending the nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Since it’s been a few years, you are likely to have experienced some bone loss. Your body reabsorbs those parts of your jawbone to use those minerals elsewhere. This can make your jaw weaker than it was and make placing dental implants riskier. However, your dentist is here to help make the process successful.
So, Is It Too Late to Get Dental Implants?
Many reasons may have stopped you from getting dental implants in the past. The good news is that they may still be a possibility for you. Modern advancements in dentistry have created a treatment to help rebuild your jawbone if it’s not sturdy enough. It can be done through a procedure called a bone graft.
In this service, bone tissue is taken from either another part of your body, a donor, an animal, or synthetic material and applied to the parts of your jaw that need it. Your body will then take it and regenerate the areas. After a few months, your jawbone may be strong enough to support dental implants!
The best way to know if you can get this tooth replacement option is through a consultation with your dentist. They can talk to you and do an oral assessment to see whether or not you are a good candidate. If you aren’t, then they can walk you through any preliminary treatments you need (like a bone graft!) or other ways that can help you get the full smile that you deserve.
About the Practice
At Alpharetta Modern Dentistry, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Valeria Labastida and Dr. Ashish Kakadia. With them on our team, we work to give the community the highest quality care that lets you feel comfortable and confident. We are proud to offer dental implants to those looking to replace missing teeth. By doing the entire process under one roof, you can stay with a team that you trust every step of the way.
If you want to learn more about whether this treatment is right for you, schedule an appointment or call our office at (470) 683-6271.