Can You Still Get a Dental Implant Years After Extraction?

Don’t lose heart if it’s been a while since your extraction. Here are some reasons why you should still consult with one of our Renovo endodontic specialists about the possibility of dental implants.

Dental Implants Can Still Prevent Further Damage

If you have enough bone to support it, we urge you to take advantage of this and invest in a dental implant. Supporting the existing bone structure can help prevent further dental issues, including the following:

• Shifting teeth
• Bone loss
• Gum disease
• Dental decay
• TMJ disorder

Implants Can Enhance Your Appearance

While not the main reason a dental specialist would recommend dental implants, appearance is still a motivating factor for many patients. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They are also easy to clean—just brush and floss them as you do your natural teeth.

Implants can restore your smile and improve your appearance by helping build or maintain jawbone density. Therefore, fine lines and wrinkles are sometimes minimized.

All this can help boost your self-esteem and confidence—important factors in your mental and physical health.

Improved Function Is Still Possible

Our patients with missing teeth often find it difficult to eat and speak. Chewing is challenging or uncomfortable. Because of this, some people stop eating fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds—the most nutrient-dense foods that contribute to better overall health.

Even if it’s been a while since you’ve had an extraction, if there’s enough bone left, we can restore proper form and function with dental implants. You’ll speak with clarity and eat the foods you love with ease.

Dental Implants Are a Secure, Long-Lasting Option

Dental implants are a wise investment in your oral and general health. According to a recent study, 97% of patients had well-functioning dental implants 10 years after placement. Many of our patients have had their implants for decades, even a lifetime.

While the initial cost is not cheap, the long-term benefits are definitely worthwhile.

Any Patient of Any Age Can Be a Good Candidate for Dental Implants

Patients aged 18 and up are generally good candidates for dental implants. Even patients in their elder years can get dental implants to help support good oral and general health. In fact, restoring lost teeth is especially beneficial for older patients. Dental implants allow them to chew thoroughly to start the digestive process and get as many nutrients out of their food as possible.

What If You’ve Experienced Some Bone Loss After Your Extraction?

It’s common to have bone loss, especially if it’s been years since your extraction. Fortunately, there are steps your dentist, surgeon, and Renovo dental team can take to maintain or improve your current bone levels.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting surgically adds bone to your jawbone. There are several different types of grafting, including the following:

• Sinus lift
• Ridge augmentation
• Socket preservation
• Periodontal bone graft

Adding bone can increase the density of your bone, enabling you to be a better candidate for dental implants.

Mini-Dental Implants

Mini-dental implants are smaller than average, allowing them to fit into a less dense jawbone. Unfortunately, a single mini-implant is likely not a good option for replacing a single tooth. However, using multiple mini-implants can serve fully edentulous (toothless) patients well by supporting a complete denture.

Implant-Supported Dentures

For patients who want the best results, bone grafting and average-sized implants are excellent options, particularly for edentulous patients. Patients who’ve lost all their teeth are at a higher risk of losing bone quickly. Preserving what we can with dental implants or adding bone augmentation can help reduce their risk of ill-fitting dentures, jawbone fractures, and implant failure, and even lower their risk of early mortality.

3 Benefits of Getting Dental Implants Immediately After an Extraction

If you have a condition requiring an extraction, here are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to consider getting an implant immediately.

1. Dental Implants Help Prevent Bone Loss

The roots of teeth help keep the jawbone anchored in place. Once the tooth is gone, the bone will start to recede.

Placing a dental implant in place of the root will stimulate the jawbone, preventing loss of density and weakening of the bone.

2. Implants Help Restore Proper Form and Function

Missing teeth make it challenging to eat and speak. Dental implants function like natural teeth, making chewing and speaking a breeze.

3. A Dental Implant Can Prevent Teeth from Shifting

Teeth adjacent to a missing tooth start to shift to fill the space. The shift can make brushing and flossing difficult, increasing the risk of dental decay and gum disease. Shifting teeth can also throw off your bite, resulting in strain on the teeth and structures of your head and neck. You can end up with the following:

• Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
• Chronic headaches/migraines
• Facial pain
• Earaches
• Difficulty chewing and opening/closing your mouth
• Locked jaw joint

It’s Never Too Late to Talk to Your Renovo Dental Team About Improving Your Oral Health

Are you ready to restore your missing teeth? There’s no better time to talk to one of our Renovo endodontic specialists. Our team will create a custom treatment plan that will address issues such as bone loss so we can ensure the best result possible.

Would you like to find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants? Contact your local Renovo Endodontic Studio to schedule a consultation with our implant specialists.