When you’re missing teeth, it’s more than just your smile that’s affected. Gaps in your bite can lead to shifting in your remaining teeth and can even cause damage to your gums and jaw. Dental implants in Jackson Heights, NY, can help restore your smile and improve the strength of your bite. However, not every patient is able to receive a dental implant. After examining your mouth, your dentist can determine if an implant is right for you. If not, they may recommend additional treatment or steps you can take to prepare for an implant in the future.

Preparing for Dental Implants in Jackson Heights, NY

In order to get a dental implant, your mouth has to be healthy and available to receive one. Implants are surgically placed into your jawbone to mimic the natural root structure of your tooth. If your jaw and gums aren’t healthy, the implant could fail and even fall out. Because of this, you may need early treatment and lifestyle changes to ensure you’re a good candidate for an implant.

Stop Smoking

Smoking can severely damage your teeth and gums, and it tends to be a leading cause of implant failure. Not only do the harmful chemicals in a cigarette affect your teeth and gums, but the sucking motion of smoking can cause excess pressure on a surgical site. Because of this, your dentist will recommend that you stop smoking prior to your implant appointment and remain smoke-free during treatment. Treatment takes a few months to complete, so the sooner you stop smoking beforehand, the more likely you’ll be to stay away from smoking while in treatment.

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are surgically placed into your jaw where they can integrate into the bone. However, if you have suffered loss of bone density due to a missing tooth, there may not be enough bone to integrate with. If you try to get a dental implant without enough bone density, the implant is likely to fail. However, many patients can still get an implant with a bone grafting appointment prior to treatment.

Periodontal Therapy

While your jaw needs enough bone density to work with an implant, your gums, too, need to be healthy enough for treatment. If you suffer from gum disease, your implant could be negatively affected. Most patients can receive periodontal therapy to clean and heal their gums. In doing so, many patients could still receive the dental implants they need to restore their smile.

If you’re missing even a single tooth, your entire mouth can be affected. Call Fedida Family Dentistry and Dental Spa today at 929-552-6315 to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about our dental implant options. Dr. Haim Fedida coordinates with local oral surgeon Dr. Cameron Lewis. This allows us to provide all implant treatment from the comfort of our dental office. If you’re looking to restore your smile and improve the strength of your bite, don’t hesitate to reach out.