812-882-1572
Prepare for Dental Implant Success
Your oral health is the main factor that determines the outcome of your dental implants. Luckily, supplemental procedures performed before implant placement can help improve the short and long-term success of your dental implants.
Dr. Herman and his team in Vincennes offer several supplemental procedures that are designed to help prepare your teeth, gums, and jawbone for dental implant placement. They help form a strong, healthy foundation that keeps the implant secured for years to come.
Bone Grafting
Jawbone deterioration is a natural side effect of tooth loss, and a bone graft works to reverse the effects. A bone graft is the application of donated bone material to an area of the jawbone that has been weakened over time. The grafted bone tissue encourages the growth of new bone in the area, making it strong enough to support a dental implant.
Soft Tissue Augmentation
Soft tissue augmentation involves repairing areas of the gums where the tissues have receded. Since healthy gums help protect and support your natural teeth, we want to make sure they are healthy enough to support your dental implants, too.
Ridge Augmentation
When a tooth is missing the surrounding tissues may lose their natural shape, making it more difficult to achieve an ideal appearance with tooth restoration. To restore the natural shape of the gums and jaw, Dr. Herman can perform a ridge augmentation procedure.
During this treatment, bone and soft tissue grafts are used to reform the gums and jawbone to look more natural and repair damaged areas where the tooth once was. It helps prepare the area for dental implant placement and can be performed when a tooth has been missing for a while or immediately after a tooth extraction. Ridge augmentation has also been especially helpful for patients who have bone defects or have experienced physical trauma to the jaw.
Sinus Augmentation
If a patient needs a dental implant in their upper jawbone, sometimes there simply isn’t enough bone to support it. When bone loss occurs in this area the sinuses enlarge, resulting in insufficient bone tissue. In these cases, donated bone tissue may be placed into the sinus cavity above the upper jaw. This will thicken the bone and allow a dental implant to be placed.
Gum Disease Treatment
Having gums that are free from infection is crucial for the success of your dental implants. If you experience signs of gum (periodontal) disease–red and swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, or shifted teeth–you may need gum disease treatment to clear up any infection before your implant placement procedure.
Learn More About Preparing for Dental Implants
If you’re missing teeth and are considering replacing them with dental implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Herman. During this visit, he can answer any questions you have about implants, determine if you’d benefit from any supplemental procedures, and help you decide if this treatment is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get implants without a supplemental procedure?
If you have insufficient bone density, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to receive dental implants without a supplemental procedure. Patients who need to increase the amount of bone in their jaw will be required to undergo a preliminary procedure, such as a sinus lift or bone grafting, in order to have successful dental implant treatment.
Without it, you face a significantly higher risk of implant failure, infection, or possibly even tooth or bone loss.
Will insurance cover my supplemental procedure?
Many insurance companies will cover a portion of the supplemental treatment costs, but some don’t cover preexisting conditions. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to get a more detailed understanding of your coverage. If you have any questions or concerns, contact our Vincennes office at (812)-882-1572 and we’ll be more than happy to help.
When is a supplemental procedure necessary?
Supplemental procedures are used to prepare the teeth, gums, and jawbone for dental implant placement to ensure high-quality results. Patients who suffer from tooth loss, gum disease, or have long-term dentures usually don’t have enough bone density for dental implants – making them an ideal candidate for supplemental procedures.
