It’s Been a While Since I Lost My Teeth; Can I Still Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium posts surgically inserted into a patient’s jawbone, and they allow restorations to function just like real teeth and potentially last a lifetime if they receive excellent care. These remarkable prosthetic devices require patients receiving them to have healthy gums and strong bone structure, but the jaws of many people who go a long time without replacing their teeth will atrophy due to lack of exercise. Here’s how you may still be able to receive implants if you have been missing teeth for a long time.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant consists of a small titanium post with a screwlike ridge around it, and it is designed to be surgically placed into the structure of a patient’s jawbone where it will fuse with its surrounding tissue through the natural process of osseointegration. This sturdy foundation allows it to support dental restorations that can exert maximum chewing power, and the device may last for life if the patient practices excellent oral hygiene.

What Happens If I Go Too Long without Replacing My Teeth?

The body needs exercise to stay healthy and strong, and the jawbone gets its workout from the stimulation it receives from the teeth during the chewing process. After a tooth is lost, the section of the jawbone supporting it will begin to atrophy and recede, which can pull adjacent teeth out of alignment. This can leave the remaining teeth more vulnerable to injury, decay, and loss, and excessive jawbone atrophy can disqualify a patient from receiving dental implants.

Can I Receive Dental Implants if I Have Thin Jawbones?

Luckily, thin jawbones do not necessarily mean you can never receive dental implants. In many cases, a dentist can refer a patient with an atrophied jaw to a specialist who can reinforce its structure with bone grafts. This treatment involves placing donating bone tissue long the jawbone through a small incision in the gums, and it can be used to rebuild a receded jawbone so that it can receive dental implants later.

Don’t let jawbone atrophy make you lose hope in restoring your smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to replace your teeth.

About the Practice

Care 32 Dental offers the finest oral healthcare in Grand Prairie. Led by Drs. Heliben Desai, Krunal Desai, and Vasim Momin, the team ensures that each patient receives the utmost courtesy and respect with exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To book your consultation for dental implants, contact the practice online or dial (469) 346-8828.