Can I Get a Dental Implant Years After Tooth Extraction?
Yes, you can! It is never too late for dental implants, although you may have to undergo additional procedures such as a sinus lift. One out of every two adults age 20-64 is missing at least one permanent tooth. Primary causes are cavities, periodontal diseases, injury, and lack of consistent oral care. There are different options for replacing an extracted tooth (teeth) such as dental bridges and partial dentures. But dental implants are the most recommended, reliable, safest, effective, and long-lasting solution for replacement teeth even if it has been so long since you had your tooth extracted.
Do you know how dental implants work?
When they are placed in your jawbone, they integrate with your natural bone and become a strong permanent foundation for supporting one or more artificial teeth (crowns). An abutment is placed on top of the dental implant to connect, hold, and support your crowns that are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit your mouth. Modern dental implants have been used successfully for over 30 years and allow our patients to feel like they have real, natural, new teeth.
Missing teeth can cause many problems:
- Compromised chewing efficiency
- Supra-eruption of opposing teeth
- Drifting of adjacent teeth into the space
- Food accumulation between the teeth which have moved
- Dental caries and periodontal disease in areas of food accumulation
- Loss of equilibrium in the chewing mechanisms
- Loss of “alveolar” bone height in the extracted area
- TM joint problems – closed bite due to loss of teeth, TMJ osteoarthritis
- The cosmetic problems such as the collapse of the cheek into the space
The length of time you have been without a replaced tooth may impact your jawbone quality. This is not a good idea to postpone. The sooner you replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, the better for your overall health.
If you are considering dental implants, we are happy to help you. For more information, please call Alpha Plus Dental at (617) 274-8494 or contact us online.
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