When Is The Best Time To Invest In Dental Implant Services?

Losing a tooth can be upsetting. Thankfully, you can have it replaced with an artificial one. If you are thinking that a dental implant will work best, then you will need to schedule an appointment for the surgical placement. When is the right time to make arrangements for this? Keep reading to find out when you should be scheduling dental implant services. 

At The Same Time As The Tooth Loss

If you have damaged a tooth substantially and need the tooth pulled, then you want to speak with your dentist about placing the implant immediately. This is called immediate loading, where the implant device will be secured at the same time as the extraction or within 24 hours. There are many benefits to this. First and foremost, you will receive a replacement tooth right away. This means not having to live with a gap in the mouth. Also, you will receive one surgical procedure instead of two, reducing your surgical and infection risks.

An immediate load implant allows for your dental professional to complete a more simplistic surgical plan due to the direct access to the root. Oftentimes, this means a flapless procedure can be performed which results in less tissue damage and fewer stitches. Also, this may allow for less substantial drilling into the bone structure which can minimize bone damage and stress.

Healing time is shortened due to the simplified procedure, and this can mean less discomfort. However, you should understand that you will still need to care for the surgical areas properly to keep it clean and free of microorganisms.

Before The Bone Ridge Deteriorates

There are some situations where it is just not possible to secure the implant at the same time as the tooth removal. For example, if you have experienced trauma to the face or if you have endured a dental infection. Healing will be necessary. If you need to wait for your implant, you do want to make sure that you schedule your procedure before your jaw bone deteriorates. Without the constant pressure from the tooth, the bone will break down due to osteoclast activity, but it will not build up again. Over time, the bone ridge will noticeably thin and a bone graft will be needed to hold the dental implant in place.

Significant bone ridge deterioration is often seen over the course of several years. However, it can happen quickly if you have a poor diet, if you smoke, or if you have osteoporosis. Meet with your dentist often for bone assessments and also to schedule your dental implant as soon as possible for the best success. 

For more information about dental implant services, speak with a professional.