If you’ve had missing teeth for a while, you might be wondering whether it’s possible to “wait too long” to get dental implants. After all, a lot can change in just a few months, and maybe you’ve noticed your oral structure isn’t exactly the same as it used to be.
While it’s true that there are some negative effects of waiting to replace missing teeth, your implant dentist might be able to help you overcome them. Keep reading to see how you can have a successful dental implant treatment!
What Happens if You Wait to Replace Missing Teeth?
The longer you wait to replace missing teeth, the more your jawbone will shrink. You see, teeth are responsible for transferring chewing pressure to the bone, which supports stimulation. Without that stimulation, the bone isn’t able to circulate properly, and misses out on the nutrients it needs in order to maintain itself. So, over time, it starts to deteriorate.
How Does This Affect Dental Implants?
Like natural teeth, dental implants rely on your jawbone in order to stay in place. The biocompatible titanium implant post will gradually fuse with the bone until they become inseparable. However, if your jawbone is thin because of the effects of tooth loss, it won’t be able to grow around the implant post. Ultimately, this can result in treatment failure.
Can My Implant Dentist Help?
Fortunately, yes! An experienced implant dentist can perform a bone graft. This treatment involves taking bone material from an external source and “adding it” to your jawbone. Over time, the two materials will fuse together, and your jawbone will be thick enough to successfully support dental implants.
It’s not ideal to wait too long to replace missing teeth with dental implants, but if time has slipped away from you, it might not be a “deal-breaker.” Bone grafting can add mass to your jawbone, reversing the ill-effects of prolonged tooth loss. So if you’ve had smile gaps for a while now, it’s still worth scheduling a consultation with your implant dentist!
About the Author
Dr. Fred Fox earned his dental degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University (formerly known as the Medical College of Virginia). He has over 25 years of experience in the field of dentistry, and still brings skill and passion to every appointment. If you’re worried that you’ve waited too long to get dental implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Fox. He’ll perform a thorough oral exam and help you design a treatment plan that will promote the success of your dental implants! To contact his office, call 904-853-6888.