Prepare Your Smile for Dental Implants
To be an ideal candidate for receiving dental implants, you’ll need to have healthy gums and a strong jawbone. However, if you’ve lived with missing teeth for a long time or suffer from insufficient bone density, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to receive dental implants. Luckily, at Oasis Family Dental, Dr. Chow offers a full range of supplemental procedures to further increase your chance of having a successful implant treatment.
Without supplemental procedures, you face a significantly higher risk of implant failure, infection, or possibly even tooth loss. Learn how Dr. Chow can improve the condition of your jaw and gums with our many treatment options.
What Are Supplemental Procedures?
A supplemental procedure is a treatment that improves the condition of your oral health in preparation for dental implants. If you suffer from a weak jawbone or some form of gum disease, a supplemental procedure may be recommended to give your smile the durability it needs for supporting dental implants. Treatment options may include intensive cleanings to remove underlying bacteria from your teeth, a bone graft, or soft tissue augmentation.
During your initial consultation at our Thunder Bay office, Dr. Chow will evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you require a supplemental procedure. Our staff will work with you to develop a treatment plan that’s personalized to your smile’s specific needs.
Bone Grafting
A bone graft is recommended for patients who have insufficient jawbone mass to support dental implants. When you lose a tooth, the exposed area is no longer stimulated and begins to deteriorate as a result. Bone grafting fixes this issue by taking bone tissue from a donor source and grafting it to the deficient areas of your jawbone. During the healing process, your jaw bonds with the new tissue and integrates it to create a new healthy bone.
Jawbone deterioration used to immediately disqualify patients from receiving dental implants. But thanks to bone grafting, Dr. Chow can fix this issue and ensure that your jaw has the strength it needs to support our dental implants.
The Bone Grafting Process
The procedure for receiving a bone graft is relatively simple. During your treatment, Dr. Chow will make a small incision into the gum tissue to access the bone beneath it. A local anesthetic is applied beforehand so that you won’t experience any discomfort. After the bone graft has been placed, your body will do the rest of the work by making new tissue that will regenerate your jaw over time.
Patients can expect a small amount of soreness and swelling after the surgery. This pain can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications and cold compresses.
Soft Tissue Augmentation
A gum graft or soft tissue augmentation is the perfect supplemental procedure for patients suffering from periodontal disease. This treatment is similar to a bone graft in that it’s used to stimulate gum growth and retention. During this procedure, Dr. Chow will take healthy gum tissue from a donor and graft it to the receding areas of your gums. While they heal, your gums will absorb the new tissue and restore your oral health.
Dr. Chow will examine your gums and design a treatment plan that will help fix your gum disease, which includes cleaning out any bacteria and removing infected tissue. Since gums heal quicker than bone, you should be ready for dental implants within six weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get dental implants without a supplemental procedure?
Patients who require a supplemental procedure will be unable to support their dental implants due to the poor condition of their gums and jawbone. Dr. Chow will only recommend either a gum graft or soft tissue augmentation only if it’s necessary. Without this intervention, you face a significantly higher risk of implant failure, infection, or possibly even tooth or bone loss.
When is a supplemental procedure necessary?
A supplemental procedure is deemed necessary when it’s determined that the current state of your oral health won’t be able to support dental implants. This is usually caused due to tooth loss, gum disease, or long-term denture use. As a result, patients suffering from these conditions experience a loss of bone density and gum stability.
By undergoing a supplemental procedure, patients will be able to improve their oral health and become an ideal candidate for dental implants. This will increase the success rate for the implant procedure while also giving your smile the necessary attention it needs.
Do I have to change my diet after a bone graft?
To ensure the success of your bone graft, it’s important to avoid certain foods, drinks, and activities during the first 24 hours procedure, including:
- Very hot and cold drinks
- Using straws
- Spicy, crunch, or tough foods
It’s best to eat soft foods like yogurt and applesauce. Dr. Chow also recommends not eating until your local anesthetic has worn off to avoid damaging the surgical site.
Will insurance cover my supplemental procedure?
Most insurance providers will cover some of the cost of a supplemental procedure. Our office recommends that patients contact their personal provider to learn more about their specific coverage. We also offer a variety of financing options for your convenience to make treatment at Oasis Family Dental more affordable and accessible.
Become a Candidate for Dental Implants
Supplemental procedures can make any patient the perfect candidate for dental implants. To find out what treatment plan will work best for your oral health, contact Oasis Family Dental by calling our practice at (807) 700-1383 or by filling out an online contact form. Dr. Chow is dedicated to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams!