If you need to replace missing teeth in Escondido, San Marcos, or anywhere else in the area, you may be wondering if you should consider dental implants. In this guide from the office of Dr. Douglas G. Hope, we’ll answer that question, as well as a number of other common FAQs about dental implants. Let’s get started.
When Should I Consider Dental Implants?
You should consider dental implants after the loss of any tooth. Dental implants are, by far, the best option for long-term smile restoration.
If you’ve already lost a tooth, or you have several infected or damaged teeth that you think may need to be pulled, dental implants from Dr. Douglas Hope may be right for you. Schedule a consultation now to get the expert advice you need.
How Soon Should I Get Dental Implants After Losing A Tooth?
Ideally, you should begin the implant planning process within a few weeks, once the site where your tooth used to be has healed. This is because losing a tooth causes a process called “jaw bone resorption.”
Basically, your tooth will no longer be stimulating the jaw bone beneath it. This means the bone will eventually weaken. It’s possible to lose up to 25% of the jaw bone within a year of losing your tooth.
You need a strong, healthy jaw bone to get a dental implant. If your jaw bone has deteriorated, you may require additional treatment like bone grafting, which will make the procedure more complex and expensive. For this reason, you should start planning to get dental implants as soon as you’ve lost one or more teeth.
Can Dental Implants Replace Multiple Missing Teeth?
Yes. Depending on the condition of your mouth and the number of missing teeth, Dr. Hope can recommend the appropriate treatment.
A few missing teeth can be replaced with single-tooth implants. If you’re missing a row of several teeth, an implant-supported bridge may be used. And if you’re missing most of the upper or lower arch of your teeth, Dr. Hope may recommend a set of implant-supported dentures to replace all of these teeth.
Can I Get Dental Implants To Replace A Partial Denture Or Dental Bridge?
The answer is usually “yes.” However, you may need to have bone grafting to restore the jaw bone where your missing tooth or teeth used to be, because the jaw bone may have weakened if you have had a partial denture or bridge for several years.
In addition, if you’re replacing a bridge, you will need dental crowns to be built and placed on the teeth that were trimmed to support the bridge, so keep this in mind.
Want To Learn More? Contact Our Office Today For An Appointment
We know you probably have quite a few questions about dental implants in Escondido. So get the answers you need! Dr. Douglas G. Hope has years of experience and can provide you with all of the information you need to know about implant dentistry. To get started, just contact us online for a consultation or give us a call at (760) 480-8883 (Escondido office) or (760) 724-1011 (Vista office) for more information.
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