Proper planning of any dental care treatment leads to great results that last for years to come. This is especially true for implant dentistry, a surgical process that helps patients have stable bridges and dentures.
Before we go forward with any dental implants treatment at Astoria Dental Group, we will meticulously plan the process in order to prevent complications and ensure patient wellness and satisfaction for years down the road. Let’s briefly go over some considerations for planning right now.
Determining a Patient’s Candidacy for Dental Implants
The first part of the planning process is assessing candidacy for dental implants treatment. While some patients may benefit from getting dental implants, there are many patients who actually do not qualify. This may be due to poor general health, or perhaps insufficient bone density or gum density to support an implant or multiple implants. Should this be the case, alternatives to implant dentistry treatment will be considered.
Performing Bone Grafting and/or Gum Augmentation
If a patient lacks sufficient bone density or gum tissue to support a dental implant, there are surgeries that can be performed in order to improve the condition of these hard and soft tissues. Bone grafting and gum augmentation will use donor tissue or artificial grafts to help build up the tissue density, allowing patients to receive dental implants in the process.
Patients should keep in mind that these surgeries require a certain amount of healing time after they have been performed before dental implants can be placed. This will add several additional months to the treatment process.
Picking the Right Number of Dental Implants
If a patient is just missing one tooth, a single dental implant is all that is required to support a dental crown. For more significant tooth loss, the ideal number of dental implants can vary. When patients require bridges or dentures, we will carefully consider how many dental implants are ideal in order to provide the optimal amount of support without compromising the stability of the bone structure.
Figuring Out Proper Placement of Dental Implants
Not only is the number of dental implants important, the placement of the implant along the dental ridge matters as well. Using the latest dental technology, we will figure out the optimal placement of the dental implants so that dental appliances remain securely in place and the stress on the jawbone and gum tissue is properly balanced and distributed.
The Type of Dental Implants Matters
Not all dental implants are the same. In fact, there are different types of dental implants out there to choose from. Some dental implants are anchored into the jawbone and gum tissue (endosteal), while other kinds of dental implants (subperiosteal) are set above the jawbone but under the gum tissue. The exact type of dental implants to use will be carefully considered, as well as the length of screws and posts.
Schedule a Consultation at Astoria Dental Group
For more information about dental implants and how they can help you smile with confidence, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. The team here at Astoria Dental Group looks forward to your visit and going over all of your options for enhancing your dental health and wellness.
