Learn How to Relieve Pain After A Dental Implant Procedure

Losing a tooth (or multiple teeth) can drastically impact your smile, speech, facial structure, and even the foods you enjoy. Fortunately, dental implants offer a highly-effective and natural-looking solution for replacing missing teeth. The implants are as stable as your natural teeth, so you can enjoy a complete smile while enjoying all your favorite foods without worry.

At Scott A. Babin, DDS, and Associates, Drs. Scott A. Babin and Anne Mazure-Schmidt can ensure you get the best tooth replacement options, including using safe, durable, and effective dental implants.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants represent a safe, reliable solution for restoring missing teeth. Dental implants consist of medical-grade titanium that is surgically inserted directly into your jawbone. While the post fuses with your jawbone, which can take up to 3-6 months, the doctor will offer the option of a flipper (removable retainer holding a tooth) to wear.

Once the bone integrates with the implant, you will return to the office to start the restoration process which can involve an additional surgery to uncover the implant.

Implants are not limited to single tooth replacement, an implant-supported bridge is often used to restore multiple teeth in a row.

Reasons You May Not Be Able to Get Dental Implants

While dental implants represent the very best in tooth replacement restorations, only some qualify for this restoration. The reasons a person might not be a good candidate for dental implants include unsupportive jawbone structure, gum disease, pre-existing health conditions, smoking, and bruxism.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a specific type of dental infection that can cause damage to the gums and jawbone. Gum disease is the result of improper oral hygiene, medication induced, or systemic factors. All of which can hinder the integration process necessary for successful dental implant placement. It’s essential to consult your dentist to confirm that your gums are free of infections before proceeding with dental implant treatment. This step can help ensure the best possible outcome for your dental health.

Maintaining healthy gums is a crucial requirement for those seeking dental implants. If you have gum disease, this can pose a challenge, and alternative options may need to be explored.

Unsupportive Jaw Structure

Dental implants require that your jawbone’s structure, including the bone’s height and width, is strong enough to offer the proper implant placement. A possible solution to this problem is bone grafting, which involves using bone tissue from another part of the body or cadaver bone to build up your jawbone.

Pre-Existing Health Conditions

Tooth implants may not be suitable for those with certain pre-existing health conditions. Conditions such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause slower healing and affect the implant’s fusion with the jawbone, potentially causing failure.

Additionally, habits like alcoholism and smoking, as well as ailments like cancer and medication use, can impact implant success. While you may still be a candidate for dental implants, discussing your health history with your dentist is crucial to determine whether implants are feasible. Failing to do so can result in a disappointing outcome and wasted time.

Reclaiming Your Smile with Dental Implants

Our team is available to assess and advise you on the best resources to restore your smile. If you would like to learn more about dental implants and see if you qualify for this treatment, please call Scott A. Babin, DDS, & Associates, Edmonds at (425) 629-8228 and Renton at (425) 793-2440 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Babin or Dr. Mazure-Schmidt. You can also visit our Edmonds office at 7631 212th St SW, Suite 109C, Edmonds, WA, and our Renton office at 4300 Talbot Rd S, Suite 305, Renton, WA.

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