When Should You Get Dental Implants?

If you are missing one or more teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implants. After all, dental implants are a great alternative to traditional dentures. But, when exactly should you get dental implants?

Get dental implants when you lose one or more teeth

You are a good candidate for dental implants if you:

• Are missing one or more teeth

• Have good oral health, with no gum infections, cavities, or other untreated dental issues

• Have enough bone density in your jawbone to support the dental implant, or can undergo a bone graft to strengthen your jawbone

• Are in good overall health

• Have good lifestyle habits, such as not smoking or using alcohol, or are willing to improve these habits

• Are willing to commit to aftercare, such as proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist

The sooner, the better in most cases

If you are like most people who are missing one or more teeth, your dentist will likely recommend that you do the dental implant process as soon as possible. This is because the longer you wait, the more quickly the affected gums and jawbone will deteriorate.  

Dental implants are metal posts that your dentist surgically places into your jawbone. They act like artificial tooth roots to perform the important job of holding the artificial crown, which is the part that appears above your gumline.

Tooth roots (and dental implants) also keep your jawbone strong. The act of biting and chewing applies pressure to your teeth, and this pressure transfers through the tooth and roots to reach your jawbone. There, the transferred pressure triggers the growth of new jawbone tissue.

When you lose a tooth, you also lose this beneficial pressure – you begin to lose bone mass in your jawbone almost immediately. Loss of bone tissue can cause the remaining teeth to loosen or fall out; bone loss in your jaw can also change the appearance of your face. Replacing a lost tooth immediately with a dental implant slows bone loss.  

If you need certain types of dental work, you may want to wait

Having some types of dental conditions can negatively affect your dental implants. Gum disease can lead to implant failure, for example, which is a complication in which your dental implant loosens or falls out. In this case, you would benefit from periodontal treatment, which is a set of procedures that addresses gum disease and reduces the risk of implant failure.  

What’s more, you may want to wait until after you have had a bone graft to get your dental implant. A bone graft helps your jawbone regain density.  

The amount of time you should wait may depend on the type of dental implant you choose. Types of dental implants include:

Single tooth implants – usually require the least amount of preparation, so you can typically have one place right away

Multiple tooth implants – a dental implant can hold several artificial crowns to replace two adjacent teeth; you can also have several implants placed at one time to replace non-adjacent teeth

Full arch restoration – an All-on-4 replaces all the teeth on the upper or lower jaw on just four dental implants, while an All-on-X replaces all the teeth on the upper or lower arch on 6 or 8 dental implants

If you have recently had dental work done, you may benefit from waiting

Many people consider dental implants after having a damaged or diseased tooth extracted. Depending on the reason you are having the tooth extracted, your dentist may recommend that you wait a couple of weeks or even months to allow the treatment area time to heal completely.  

Where can I get dental implants near me?

To get started on your tooth restoration journey, connect with 100 West Dental to learn more about how dental implants can help your smile and oral health. We’ll set up a consultation with Dr. Prior to ensure you have a treatment plan that’s fit for your goals and lifestyle.  

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