The main factor that determines the long term success and maximum benefit of dental implants is the quality of bone at the implant site. During your evaluation, your periodontist will examine the implant site and take x-rays to make sure that you have enough bone to support osseointegration, which is the process in which the bone fuses with the titanium dental implant, leaving it as a fixture in the mouth.
Patients do lose bone following tooth loss, so if you delay consulting a periodontist about dental implant treatment, you may experience enough bone loss to present a possible obstacle to implant placement. This is more likely to occur with the rearmost teeth on the upper jaw, as the bone under the sinus floor is thinner in that vicinity and wears away more quickly. Additionally, congenital defects can cause bone deficits that could compromise osseointegration.
Even if you don’t initially have enough bone to support a dental implant, that doesn’t mean that you’ll never qualify for this treatment. A preliminary bone graft can supplement the bone tissue in the area, allowing patients to pursue dental implant placement after healing from that procedure. Your periodontist can give you guidance about this aspect of your treatment.
Patients who choose dental implants following tooth loss gain improved functionality and comfort from this treatment option. Because the dental implant acts like an artificial tooth root, it is the only structurally complete tooth replacement. It allows the prosthetic tooth to participate more completely and naturally in chewing and speaking, as well as keeping the appliance more secure than a conventional bridge or denture would be.
Any tooth in the mouth can be replaced with a dental implant under the right conditions. To learn if your case is suitable for dental implant placement, schedule an evaluation with our team at BC Perio.