Are There Other Procedures That Go Hand in Hand With a Dental Implant?

When getting a dental implant, there are several other procedures that a dentist may recommend. For example, sometimes it is necessary to extract any damaged teeth so there is room for the new teeth. If the patient does not have enough bone density in the jaw, the dentist may recommend procedures that will help improve the jaw. Read on to learn what these procedures entail.

Tooth extraction

If necessary, the dentist will remove any damaged teeth to make way for the new dental implant. The teeth may need to be removed if they are too damaged to repair. Before the extraction, the dentist will take X-rays of the patient’s mouth. If the patient has certain medical conditions, the patient may need to take some antibiotics before the extraction.

Right before the extraction, the dentist will numb the area around the damaged tooth or teeth to be extracted. This includes the teeth, the gums and the jawbone. The dentist will use a tool to grasp the tooth firmly and begin to rock it back and forth. This will loosen the tooth.

While the patient may feel pressure from this, the patient should not feel any pain. When the tooth has been loosened enough, the dentist will be able to gently remove it. The patient will be given gauze to bite down on to help the bleeding to stop.

After getting a tooth removed, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics for the patient to reduce the risk of infection. Using an ice pack on the jaw can help reduce swelling. The dentist may recommend that the patient use it for 10 minutes on the area and 20 minutes off the area.

Preparing the jaw’s bones

If the patient does not have enough bone in the jaw to support an implant, it may be necessary to do a bone graft. First, the dentist will obtain a piece of bone to graft into the area. This bone may come from another part of the patient’s body, an animal or a cadaver. Many dentists use bone grafting materials designed for this. If the bone comes from the patient’s body, it may come from another area in the upper or lower jawbone.

After the dentist has grafted the bone onto the area, the patient will wait several months for the graft to integrate with the existing bone. This will allow the jawbone to become stronger. In some very minor bone grafts, the procedure may be done at the same time as the surgery to place the implants. The dentist will decide if this will be feasible.

Visit a dentist to learn more about dental implant treatments

A dentist will be able to evaluate your condition to determine which other procedures you may need before having your dental implants placed. This may include tooth extractions to remove damaged teeth. It may also involve bone grafts to help the jawbone support the weight of the dental implants. Newer technology and other advancements mean that this process can be relatively quick and painless.

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