Dental Implants are considered the golden standard of tooth restoration because they look and function exactly like real teeth. While they are ideally placed a few months after tooth loss, many people who might like them have gone for years with restorations like bridges or dentures. Here’s why you might still be eligible for implants if it’s been years since you lost your teeth.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

A dental implant is a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone with a lifelike artificial tooth attached to it above the gumline. Titanium is rust-proof and nonreactive with human tissues, meaning that it carries no risk of toxic or allergic reactions, and nonmagnetic so it won’t set off metal detectors. After a few months of recovery from the procedure, the implant will be fused to the jawbone through the natural process of osseointegration, allowing it to bite with the same pressure and leverage as real teeth. However, the success of the implant largely depends on the strength and health of the jaw hosting it.

Dental Implants and the Jaw

Like the rest of the body, the jawbone needs exercise to remain healthy and strong. Natural teeth provide this exercise by exerting pressure against it during the chewing process. When a tooth is lost, so is this stimulation, causing the jaw to begin to atrophy beneath the empty socket. If more teeth are lost, the jaw will recede further and further into the face, creating a more aged appearance.

Since dental implants are placed directly in the jawbone, they provide the same stimulation as real teeth, reversing the process of atrophy and keeping the jaw strong for years to come. Removable restorations such as dentures and bridges, on the other hand, do not fully restore this stimulation. The jaw will still recede while wearing them, potentially depriving it of the mass and density it needs to host implants. Fortunately, a thin jaw can be made fit for implants through the process of bone grafting.

How Does Bone Grafting Work?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that uses donated bone tissue to reinforce existing skeletal structure. To make a thin jaw fit for dental implants, your oral surgeon will make incisions in your gums and place donated bone along your jaw. This donated tissue will fuse with your jawbone, increasing its strength and mass. After a few months of recovering from the procedure, you can be ready to receive dental implants.

If you want dental implants after years of traditional restorations, don’t let a receding jaw stand in your way. Dental implants can give you teeth just like your natural ones that can fill the rest of your life with smiles and steaks.

About the Author

Dr. John Bonds received his dental degree as well as a doctorate in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University. He constantly strives to stay on top of the latest dental techniques and technology and proudly serves as a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His office in Plano, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant treatments. For more information, contact him online or dial (972) 635-8004.