Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

If you want dental implants, there may be several procedures you need before the implants can be placed. Addressing various dental concerns will increase the success of your implant.

Gum Disease Treatment 

When people need dental implants, it is common for them to have extensive gum disease. Before the process of implants can begin, there may be months worth of gum disease treatment needed. Deep cleanings are the main treatment for gum disease. During deep cleanings, the dentist will work at removing tartar from the teeth and below the gum line. The process of deep cleaning can be different based on the procedure used to clean the teeth. If your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler, fewer appointments may be necessary to clean the teeth. When manual scaling is done, you may need a few appointments for a round of cleaning. The process can involve months of cleanings until the pockets at your gum line are gone and there is no longer any redness and/or bleeding.

Bone And Gum Grafts

Grafts may be necessary for the bone and/or gums before your mouth is healthy enough to start the implant process. Bone grafts are necessary if the underlying bone is not thick enough to support the abutment for implants. The bone graft material can be acquired through different means, such as using your own bone or bone from a cadaver or animal. During the process, the bone is ground-up and placed in the targeted location. Over time, the body uses the bone graft to create new bone and make the jaw stronger. Gum grafts work in a similar way. The dentist will remove some gum tissue elsewhere in the mouth and stitch it to the target location. Eventually, the graft will meld with the surrounding gum.

Custom Abutments

Many implant procedures are done with standard, prefabricated abutments, which are pieces of metal that are inserted into the jaw bone. Once the bone has healed around the abutment, it will serve as the anchor for the implant. Custom abutments are an option. A custom abutment will require a mold of your mouth to be made. The approach to creating the mold will depend on the dental office. Molds can be created physically by creating an impression of the area, but digital molds are another option. After the mold is made, a dental lab will create the abutment. The major advantage of custom abutments is that they're created to the unique contours of your gums, allowing the abutment to be positioned in the ideal location and at the appropriate angle and depth to fit perfectly. The final result of implants using custom abutments is usually more comfortable and better aesthetically than using a prefabricated abutment.

Dental implants are the main option available to significantly transform your smile, but there can be several steps leading to the final product. Having healthy bones and gums before starting the implant process is necessary for the success and longevity of the implant.

Find out more about dental implant services.