Not all patients can immediately have dental implants months after extraction. Some patients can take years before they finally decide to have them. If this is the case, can dental implants be placed years after extraction? Yes, dental implants can still be placed years after extraction. However, some factors must be considered before deciding to have dental implants placed.
In this blog post, we will discuss the factors that need to be considered before deciding whether or not to have dental implants placed. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having dental implants placed years after tooth extraction.
After reading this post, you will better understand whether or not dental implants are right for you. So, let’s get started!
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Is It Possible To Place Dental Implants Years After A Tooth Extraction?
It’s not uncommon for patients to wait several years before dental implants are placed after tooth extraction. In some cases, this is due to personal preference or financial considerations.
While dental implants can be placed many years after a tooth extraction, several factors may impact whether or not dental implants are the most appropriate option.
Tooth loss and bone loss go hand-in-hand. The bone begins to resorb or diminish in size when a tooth is lost. The longer a tooth is missing, the more bone loss will occur. Less bone means less area for the implant to attach to and, therefore, less support for dental implants.
In addition, dental implants require a certain amount of healthy gum tissue to be present for successful implant placement. If too much time has passed since the tooth was extracted and the gum tissue has shrunken, it may not be possible to place dental implants immediately.
However, with advances in dental technology, it is now possible for implant dentists to place implants even after many years have passed since the tooth was lost. If you are considering dental implants, consult an experienced implant dentist to see if they are right for you.
How Can Dental Implants Benefit You?
Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option for many people. Here are five advantages of dental implants vs. other replacement teeth options:
- Dental implants help to prevent bone loss. When you lose a tooth, the bone around that tooth starts to shrink. A major benefit of dental implants is that they help prevent this bone loss by providing support for the artificial teeth and stimulating bone growth.
- Dental implants have a life-like appearance, and they feel like natural teeth. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots which serve as a base for a prosthesis which can be in the form of a dental crown, bridge or prosthesis. This configuration makes dental implants the closest replacement to natural teeth.
- Dental implants are easy to care for, making them good for oral health. You brush and floss them like you would your natural teeth.
- Dental implants are more comfortable and easier to adjust to because they mimic the form and position of your natural teeth. Many other tooth replacement alternatives, such as dentures and dental bridges, can be uncomfortable and inconvenient due to their bulkiness.
Dental implants are long-lasting. Other tooth replacement options, such as dentures and bridges, need to be replaced often due to wear and tear. Dental implants can last 20 years or longer if taken care of properly. Proper care includes avoiding crunchy and hard foods, having good oral hygiene, and visiting a dentist regularly.
When Dental Implants Are Installed Late, What Complications May Arise?
A few complications may arise when dental implants are installed late.
- Jawbone Shrinkage: If you wait too long to get implants, your jaw’s bones may have already shrunk due to bone loss. This can make it harder for the implants to take hold, leading to stability and retention problems.
- Alignment and Space Issues: When you lose a tooth, your remaining teeth can move towards the space left by your missing tooth. This can result in your teeth becoming out of alignment. Eventually, once you decide to have dental implants, the space left by your extracted tooth may already be too small for an implant. To achieve a more favourable result, orthodontic treatment might be needed before implant treatment to align the teeth and close the spaces between them. This will result in a more even smile upon placement of the implant.
- Additional Surgery: If you wait too long to get implants, you may need more surgery to prepare your jaw for the implants. This could mean more pain and longer recovery time.
If you consult with a dentist and get implants soon after you lose a tooth, you should be able to avoid these complications.
Do Dental Implants Need To Be Placed At A Specific Time?
When teeth are extracted, the bone that once supported them begins to deteriorate. As a result, what was once a healthy jawbone grows weaker and may eventually change shape. This can lead to several complications, including changes in the facial structure, shifting teeth and increased plaque retention. It can also make it more difficult to install artificial teeth later on.
For this reason, it is recommended that dental implants be placed as soon as possible after teeth are lost. In cases where this is not possible, dental implants may still be installed years later. However, additional procedures may have to be performed to achieve more favourable results. A qualified implant dentist can help you make the decision about dental implants during the initial consultation. They can assess the risks and benefits of having dental implants and develop a suitable treatment plan.
Final Thoughts
At Comfort Care Dental, we understand that life can sometimes get in the way of taking care of your teeth. You may not have been able to see a dentist for a while due to financial reasons, or you may have had an emergency that required you to have a tooth extracted. Whatever the reason, we want you to know that it’s never too late to get dental implants.
Years after extraction, bone loss can occur in the jawbone. This bone loss can make it difficult to wear dentures as it will cause them to loosen. Dental implants are artificial teeth embedded in the jawbone to prevent bone loss and restore your oral health and natural-looking smile.
The dental team at Comfort Care Dental have years of experience placing dental implants, and we would be happy to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Call us today or book an appointment online through our website. We look forward to meeting you!
Frequently Asked Questions
While dental implant procedures have become increasingly popular as a tooth replacement option in recent years, they are not suitable for everyone. Here are five reasons why a person might not be a good candidate for dental implants:
- Severe bone loss: If a person has severe bone loss in their jaw, they may not have enough healthy bone to support dental implants.
- Radiation therapy: People who have had radiation therapy to their head and neck area are also not good candidates for dental implants. This is because radiation can damage the bone and soft tissue, making it difficult for the metal posts to fuse with the jaw bone.
- Heavy smokers: People who smoke heavily are not good candidates for dental implants. Smoking causes constriction of blood vessels, which can reduce the blood flow around the implant area. Because of this, smoking has been linked to several cases of implant failure.
- Active infection: If a person has an active infection in their mouth, it is advised to have it addressed and resolved before implant treatment. Failure to do so will contraindicate them for dental implants.
- Uncontrolled diabetes: People with medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes are also generally not good candidates for dental implants. This is because diabetes can damage bone and soft tissue, making it difficult for the implant to fuse with the bone properly. Additionally, dental implants involve oral surgery. For people with diabetes, surgical procedures often result in delayed healing.
Other factors, such as pregnancy and certain medications, may make a person ineligible for dental implants. However, this is usually determined on a case-by-case basis.
Dental implants can be expensive, and the total cost can vary depending on several factors. Dental implants cost between $3,000 and $6,000 per tooth.
Factors that can affect the final cost of dental implants include:
- The complexity of the case: For example, bone loss can make implant surgery more difficult and costly.
- The number of artificial teeth needed: A single implant is cheaper than multi-tooth implants.
- Experience of the oral surgeon or implant dentist: Experienced dentists will charge more than those just starting.
- The need for additional procedures: Separate procedures such as sinus lifts, bone grafting, tooth extraction surgery, and gum grafting add to the total cost.
You will only be able to get implants from a suitably qualified and experienced dental professional.
Only dentists who have completed an accredited dental implant course can place or restore implants. This is because the implant procedure is complex and requires a high level of skill.
The success of dental implants depends on having sufficient bone mass to support them. If there is insufficient bone, an artificial substitute can be used to build the needed bone. In such cases, a bone grafting procedure is needed before dental implant treatment can begin.
There are various reasons for bone loss in the jaw, including periodontal disease, tooth loss, and injury. As a result, the bone may not be strong enough to support dental implants.
Bone grafting is a relatively simple procedure that oral surgeons can perform. During the procedure, bone graft material is placed into the bone and allowed to fuse with the existing bone. After a few months, the bone will have healed and be strong enough to support dental implants.
Bone grafting isn’t always necessary before dental implant treatment. However, it is recommended for people with insufficient bone density to support a dental implant.