Dental Implants Years After Extraction
For people that need to replace missing or extracted teeth, the go-to restoration options have historically been dental bridges or dentures. Although these options are tolerable on a short-term basis, neither provides long-term results without necessitating repairs or replacement.
Compared to dental bridges and dentures, dental implants have become an increasingly popular treatment option for people who have had teeth extracted because the devices offer a longer lasting and more secure restoration. People that had one or more tooth extracted but cannot remember how many years have passed, may wonder if they are a suitable candidate for dental implants. Luckily, the answer is often yes if the person has good oral health though additional treatments or procedures may first be necessary.
Overview of Dental Implants
Dental implants are composed of three parts: an implant post or rod, an abutment, and a restorative prosthesis. Combined, these components create a restoration that feels, functions, and looks like a natural tooth.
- Implant Post: Metal, screw-shaped posts that are surgically embedded below the gumline in the jawbone. The implant posts serve as replacement tooth roots and create a stable foundation on which a prosthetic tooth can be mounted. Due to its superior biocompatibility characteristics that allows it to fuse with bone, titanium is often the material used for dental implant posts.
- Abutment: In many cases, the abutment is attached once the implant post has completely healed. The abutment mounts atop the implant post and acts as a connector with the chosen restoration the patient opts for. Certain dental implant systems allow the implant post and abutment to be placed during the same procedure.
- Restorative Prosthesis: Can be a dental crown, bridge, overdenture, or a complete set of teeth to achieve the desired function and look.
What Are the Consequences of Not Quickly Replacing Missing Teeth?
If a lost or extracted tooth is not replaced, over time the jawbone starts to shrink in the voided space. Within one year, this can cause the affected area of the jawbone to degrade sufficiently enough to make dental implants no longer a suitable treatment on their own. This is not a deal-breaker however as the patient could undergo the following procedures to restore the area and make it possible for them to still get dental implants:
- Bone Grafting Procedure: If a patient is missing a portion of their jawbone after a tooth extraction, they may require a bone graft to restore the area prior to placing dental implants. A grafting procedure helps build up the mass of the jawbone in the affected area so that there is adequate support for an implant. Sufficient one level ensures that the restoration will be long-lasting while also creating a more aesthetically pleasing and seamless gumline.
- Orthodontic Procedures: Within a year of extracting a tooth, the adjacent teeth can start to shift position as bone is resorbed in the area. If several years have gone by, the teeth may be significantly out of position or can sink into the pocket left by the extracted tooth. Orthodontic treatments could be required to straighten the teeth and create more space for an implant.