248-838-1143
Do You Need a Prior Surgery for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent tooth restoration option and it’s important for Dr. Sayed to take any necessary measures to ensure the success of your treatment. Dental implants have a 95% success rate that depends heavily on your oral health prior to surgery and your healing process following placement.
To discover if you’ll need additional care before receiving implants, schedule a consultation at Pristine Periodontics and Implants to get a comprehensive exam of your oral health. Whether you initially qualify for dental implants or not, Dr. Sayed offers a variety of supplemental procedures to prepare for your new tooth replacement surgery.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Gum disease can lead to tooth loss as it opens up pockets in your gums that become harder to clean and easier for bacteria to settle in. Bacteria and toxins thrive in the base of each pocket that lacks oxygen. Pocket reduction surgery helps smooth out any imperfections in the bone, so when the gums are repositioned at a lower level on the tooth, the pocket isn’t as deep.
During this procedure, Dr. Sayed will make tiny openings in your gums and then gently pull back to expose the roots of your teeth. It’s necessary in order to complete a deeper scaling and planning procedure, effectively remove tartar, and smooth out the damaged bone surfaces. Your gums will be placed back into place and sewed up tightly around your tooth to reduce the risk of bacteria from living and growing in the pocket.
Sinus Lifts
For patients who don’t have a strong, stable upper-back jaw, we recommend a sinus lift before the dental implant procedure. At our Birmingham dental office, we offer two types of sinus lifts. Both procedures raise the sinus floor to create enough vertical bone to support your dental implants. Explore the two types:
- Antral Sinus Lift: This lift is done when minimal bone exists and more is needed. Dr. Sayed will enter through a small opening in the side of your jaw to reveal the sinus membrane, elevate it, and insert donor bone into the floor of the sinus. The site is then closed and stitched. After six months, the bone becomes part of your upper jaw, creating the height needed to support your dental implants.
- Osteotome Sinus Lift: When there’s enough bone to support an implant but not enough to totally encapsulate it, this lift is necessary and can be done at the same time as your implant procedure. After a hole in your bone is created for the dental implant, the bone graft is passed through this hole. The implant is then placed, and will eventually integrate with the new bone graft.
Tissue Grafting
Sometimes dental bridges can cause gums to recede, leaving sensitive areas of root tissue exposed. This can cause pain, an increased risk of infection, and tooth decay. Tissue augmentation is used to make gingival tissue more resistant to gum recession.
During gum tissue grafting, a small tissue sample is repurposed from the patient’s palate. Depending on the patient, this is done before or during the dental implant placement. The resulting tissue graft preserves the necessary soft tissue and makes the gums less likely to recede after surgery.
Guided Bone Regeneration
When patients are missing teeth, the jawbone will naturally deteriorate over time. Your jaw needs constant stimulation from your teeth to remain strong, so when they’re missing, your bone weakens.
To combat bone deterioration, we use bone grafting to prepare our patients for implants. This results in a stronger, more stable jawbone in order to enhance your chances of success with the implant procedure. Our guided bone regeneration technique allows Dr. Sayed to enhance your dental implant success by:
- Regrowing bone lost to periodontitis around affected teeth
- Preserving tooth sockets for future implant sites
- Rebuilding lost bone in empty spaces
Socket Grafting
Every tooth and its surrounding bone are subjected to the daily stress of chewing. Our bodies are programmed to reduce bone that’s no longer used, so when a tooth is removed or missing, the body begins to resorb the bone. Your jawbone will begin to shrink and lose its shape, stopping you from being able to get dental implants.
To prevent this, socket preservation should be done at the time of tooth extraction to fill the space where the tooth once was and protect it until your implant treatment can begin. Without socket preservation, a 40-60% loss in bone volume can occur within the first couple of years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are supplemental procedures necessary for dental implants?
Can I still get implants without a supplemental procedure?
If I have a weak jawbone, can I still qualify for dental implants?
Will insurance cover my supplemental procedure?
Why are supplemental procedures necessary for dental implants?
Supplemental procedures can be a crucial factor in being able to receive dental implants depending on the patient and their unique needs. Due to the effects of permanent tooth loss, many patients suffer from bone loss or other oral health issues that can hinder their candidacy for dental implants. We utilize supplemental procedures so our patients are able to restore their oral health and offer them a better chance to have successful dental implant treatment.
Can I still get implants without a supplemental procedure?
If you have insufficient bone density, it’s unlikely that you’ll be a candidate for receiving dental implants without a supplemental procedure. Dr. Sayed requires his patients to undergo any supplemental procedure that’s necessary, such as a bone graft, to increase the amount of bone in their jaw for successful implant placement. Without it, patients face a significantly higher risk of implant failure, infection, and possible tooth or bone loss.
If I have a weak jawbone, can I still qualify for dental implants?
Yes! Even if you have a weak jawbone due to missing teeth, Dr. Sayed can provide you with a supplemental procedure before dental implant treatment. With bone grafting, we can prepare your jawbone for a successful implant procedure.
Bone grafting helps improve your functionality to eat and speak with ease. This procedure is safe and effectively done at our Birmingham office. If you have any questions about bone grafting, call our office at (248) 838-1143 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.
Will insurance cover my supplemental procedure?
Many insurance providers will cover a portion of your supplemental procedure expenses. However, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to find out about your coverage plan. Pristine Periodontics and Implants also offer financing options to ensure patients can get the care they need. If you have any questions about supplemental procedures or payment options, call our Birmingham office at (248) 838-1143.
Receive Your Supplemental Treatment Today
Improving your oral health with a supplemental procedure can help ensure the long-term success of your dental implant. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sayed to understand which treatment option is best for you and to see if a preliminary surgery is required. Once we’ve decided to move forward with the treatment, your smile will be restored with our beautiful, long-lasting dental implants in no time. If you’re ready to take the next step towards your restored smile, call our Birmingham office at (248) 838-1143 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sayed today.
Why Wait? Contact us today for information on your Dental Implant Consultation
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