It’s important to have good oral health to ensure the success of your dental implants. Certain dental conditions, such as gum disease and bone loss, can cause post-surgery complications, recurring problems, and potentially lead to implant failure. Patients who don’t immediately qualify for the procedure due to these conditions are not out of luck. They may still be able to replace their missing teeth with dental implants thanks to supplemental treatments, offered by Dr. Barras at his Lafayette, LA practice.
At Barras Family Dentistry, we perform several supplemental procedures to prepare the teeth, gums, and jawbone for implant placement. Not only do these treatments increase your chances of becoming a good candidate for dental implants, but they also increase the likelihood of long-term treatment success.
Bone Grafting
Bone loss is a typical consequence of having missing teeth. When the natural tooth’s roots are missing the jawbone lacks the stimulation it needs to stay strong and healthy, resulting in bone resorption. Often, the jawbone won’t have enough density to support a dental implant.
Luckily, Dr. Barras can perform a bone grafting procedure to reinforce the weakened jawbone in the area where the implant will be placed. During the procedure, bone tissue–either donated or used from another area of the patient’s body–is placed in the area. As it heals, the jawbone will grow around the grafted tissue, strengthening the area and providing a sturdy foundation for the dental implant.
Socket Preservation After Tooth Extraction
When a tooth is removed, the bone around the hole that is left, called the socket, begins to collapse. This makes it difficult to replace the tooth with a dental implant. If you need any teeth removed, Dr. Barras can place a bone graft immediately after extraction, preserving the socket so that an implant can be successfully placed.
Ridge Modification
When bone loss has caused the jawbone to become too narrow to support a dental implant, we can correct it with a bone grafting procedure called ridge modification. During the procedure, bone tissue is added to the area to make it wide enough to support a dental implant. Just like any bone graft treatment, the jawbone will grow over the grafted tissue as the area heals, adding the strength and stability necessary for a successful implant procedure.
Sinus Augmentation
When a tooth is missing from the upper back jaw the bone loss that occurs often increases the size of the sinus cavity. This can leave insufficient bone density, making dental implant placement in the area difficult or impossible. To fix this problem, we can perform a sinus augmentation procedure. This type of bone graft adds to the existing tissue in the upper jaw, reduces the size of the sinus cavity, and provides the necessary foundation for dental implant placement.
Gum Disease Treatment
Having healthy gums is vital for the success of your dental implants. Just like natural teeth, your dental implants depend on strong, healthy gums and bone tissue for support. If left untreated, gum disease (periodontal disease) can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and ultimately tooth loss or implant failure. For these reasons, it’s important to treat any signs of infection before your implants are placed.
At Barras Family Dentistry, we will create a gum disease treatment plan to fit your specific needs. Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, your treatment may include more frequent professional cleanings, recommendations for improving at-home oral hygiene, antibiotic treatment, deep cleanings with scaling and root planing, or gum surgery.