If you’re facing a tooth extraction, you might be wondering about what your options are for replacing the tooth in question. If you’ve heard of dental implants, you’ve maybe also heard that they’re one of the best means for replacing missing teeth – but how soon following a tooth extraction is a patient able to receive this top-of-the-line solution? It depends on a few different factors; here’s what you need to keep in mind.
How Soon Following Tooth Extraction Can I Receive a Dental Implant?
In some cases, it might be recommended that the dental implant be placed immediately after the tooth is extracted. This is often possible if the tooth was removed due to decay or damage, and there’s sufficient jawbone structure to support the implant. Needless to say, this can streamline and expedite the entire dental implant process, but it is very circumstantial.
However, in other cases such as if the extraction site shows signs of infection, or if your jawbone is lacking density, you may need to wait a few months before the implant can be placed, to allow the bone and gum tissue to heal properly and provide a solid foundation.
Why Do Missing Teeth Need to Be Replaced?
Your teeth are important; not only do they assist you with eating and speaking, but they also provide your jaw with the natural stimulation it needs to remain healthy. This means that if you’re missing teeth, those areas of the jawbone are subject to deterioration. Not to mention, any teeth adjacent to the gap have an increased chance of falling out. This all goes to say that when teeth are lost or extracted, especially due to damage or decay, it’s best to replace them promptly before further problems arise.
Why Opt for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement for many reasons, but primarily because they replicate the entire structure of a lost tooth from root to crown – something that no other restoration can do. A titanium post is surgically placed into the patient’s jawbone to act as a tooth root, and a corresponding dental restoration is outfitted to it once it’s healed and fused with the bone tissue.
This means that patients with dental implants aren’t subjected to jawbone deterioration that’s commonly associated with missing teeth. Not to mention, they also enjoy increased biting power and don’t have to worry about the maintenance associated with traditional dental restorations, like dentures.
Ultimately, the best way to determine the right timeline for receiving your dental implant is to consult with your dentist. If periodontal therapy or a bone graft is necessary before dental implant placement, your dentist can also provide an idea of what sort of timeline to expect. But in any case, dental implants are worth it following tooth extraction – it’s just a matter of making sure your mouth is ready!
About the Practice
Our team here at Elite Oral Surgery Associates has proudly served patients in Worcester and the surrounding areas for several years, offering a wide range of services including dental implant placement and other related treatments, such as tooth extractions. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up a consultation, please visit us online or call us today for further information or to find an office close to you.
