When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
When the current structure of your mouth is not ideal for a dental implant, your first course of action is to find a solution to your problem. To start, you want to know what problems will prevent you from getting an implant. Once you have this information, you can determine the best methods for repairing these issues.
Bone Grafting
One issue that plagues a number of people is improper bone mass. When the bone of your jaw is too thin or it is not dense enough, the implant can fail. For this specific reason, many cosmetic dentists recommend a bone graft procedure to correct the issue.
With bone grafting, a surgeon places small pieces of bone on the interior portion of your jaw, which then grows and adheres to the existing bone. The grafting material can come from your own body, such as a piece from your hip, thigh or shoulder. These bones are generally thicker, so they can handle the minimal bone loss until new bone can replace the removed portion.
Some surgeons will use cadaver or animal bone, since these options are biocompatible with your body. After placing the graft, you will have wait for the area to heal, so that the surgeon can make sure the grafting process was success. A successful bone graft will help stabilize your jaw so there is enough bone mass for the implant.
Gum Graft
Another issue some people have is that their gum tissue shrinks after they lose a tooth. When you have a tooth removed, the tissue will shrink and this makes it difficult to have enough tissue to surround and protect the implant. Even though this is a common problem, many people are still unaware of gum grafting, which is used to increase the amount of tissue within your mouth.
There are a few grafting options for this type of problem. Two common methods involve removing a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth, so it can be placed around the area that is shrinking. Once the piece of tissue has had time to heal, the surgeon can then determine if your mouth has enough tissue to help stabilize the implant.
To improve your chances of getting a dental implant, you need to make sure your mouth has the proper structure. If it is discovered that your bone or gum tissue is not suitable for an implant, it is best to look into the options for repairing the issue. For this purpose, you want to work with a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon, such as those at Tijeras Dental Service, to explore all of the options that may help you get the implant you desire.
Share13 April 2015
