Dental implants are a fantastic solution for people who are missing one, several, or even an entire arch of teeth. Implants not only help restore the appearance of a smile, but they also help improve food chewing and speaking abilities, ultimately boosting a patient’s overall health and quality of life. If you have decided to undergo the procedure, you need to know how to prepare for dental implants. Please read our article to learn more. 

 

How to Prepare for Dental Implants

The preparation needed for dental implants can be minimal in some cases or require additional surgical procedures in others, depending on the condition of a patient’s oral health.

 

Procedures That Help Prepare for Dental Implants

In some cases, dental implant surgery is impossible because a patient does not have enough jaw bone density to support the implants sufficiently, so they will most likely fail. Jaw bone density loss can happen due to a process called bone resorption. When tooth loss occurs, the jaw bone is no longer stimulated by the roots of the tooth. As a result, the body stops sending nutrients to the bone, causing it to “shrink.” 

The longer a patient misses the teeth, the more the bone structure is damaged. In the first year after the tooth loss, a patient can experience up to a 20% decrease in jaw bone density. There are several procedures available that can help restore the jaw bone:

Also, if a patient has oral health issues such as gum disease, they must be fully treated before the dental implants can be placed. During preliminary examinations, your dentist can evaluate the condition of your gums and jawbone to recommend the appropriate course of action in your case. 

 

What a Patient Can Do to Prepare for Successful Dental Implant Surgery

When a patient does not need any additional procedures or treatments in preparation for dental implants, there are several simple steps they can take to ensure the surgery goes smoothly.

 

Make an Appointment Today

With your new knowledge of how to prepare for dental implants, you should feel prepared to make an appointment at the San Bernardino dental office to learn more about dental implant procedures and receive a personal consultation. Our dental implant specialists will conduct the necessary examination to establish the most effective course of action in your case. We look forward to your visit to Dream Smile City.