Gum disease is the result of undisturbed plaque. When the bacteria is allowed to build up, it hardens into tartar and can cause gum recession, tooth rot, and severe bone loss. When treating gum disease, your oral surgeon may recommend a dental implant as a way to both restore the natural function of your mouth and help cosmetically. However, if you have experienced bone loss, there are a couple of steps you must take before this takes place.
A dental implant cannot be appropriately supported by a weakened jawbone, so your oral surgeon will first target the healing and re-strengthening of your bone to create a sturdy foundation. This gives your implant the best possible chance at becoming a long-lasting addition to your mouth. When it comes to discovering your best route of treatment and what your personalized options are, our team at Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group is here to help.
How Can Severe Bone Loss Impact Your Ability to Get Dental Implants?
When you lose a tooth – whether it’s to gum disease or not – your mouth will miss the regular pressure and force of the tooth. This can cause your other teeth to begin to shift and your jawbone to weaken. Without a sturdy bone to implant the root of the dental implant in, the chance of success for becoming a long-lasting and functional part of your mouth is not high.
In order to begin the implant process, your oral surgeon will first need to reverse your bone loss. By creating a new solid surface to place the screw directly in, you are also helping to ensure your bone remains solid after the implant. The dental implant will replace the usual force of your natural tooth and encourage a healthy jawbone.
How an Oral Surgeon Can Help
There are a couple of ways your oral surgeon can help prepare your bone for a dental implant, the most common of which is a bone graft. This process is highly effective when it comes to healing the living tissue of your bone and shaping a nice foundation for your future implant. The process sees a section of healthy bone being taken from another area of your body and implanted into the damaged area. This process takes roughly a month to heal before the regular implant process can proceed.
Another option is a zygomatic dental implant. This type of dental implant is anchored to your zygomatic bone instead of your weakened jawbone, meaning you do not have a bone graft completed to have your implants installed. The zygomatic bone is also known as your cheekbone, which does not suffer from bone loss in the same way your jawbone does. As your cheekbones are only accessible to the upper teeth, this implant is only effective for teeth located on the upper jaw.
Interested in Dental Implants? Consult a Dental Professional Today
A dental implant can be majorly beneficial for those currently struggling with a missing tooth. Not only is it a great way to improve the aesthetics of your smile, but it can also help restore bone loss, prevent shifting, and make speaking, biting, and chewing a normal process again. The highly qualified team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group has dedicated their careers to the betterment of their community’s oral health, and would love to help give you a smile you are proud of today.
To begin devising the best plan of treatment for your unique circumstances, schedule a consultation and examination today by calling our office at (908) 663-5309 or by using our online contact form.
