Many people wait until they start replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, but you don't have to wait until your teeth are gone before considering dental implants. In fact, there are cases where your dentist may recommend the extraction of certain teeth in order to improve your oral health. These extracted teeth can then be replaced with dental implants.
While the goal is always to preserve your natural teeth first, there are certain cases where your natural teeth may pose a very serious threat to your oral health. In these cases, tooth extraction is generally recommended. Your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if:
- One or more teeth are severely decayed and cannot be adequately repaired using other methods. - One or more teeth are severely damaged and cannot be adequately repaired using other methods.
- You have as many teeth as your jaw
- Severe periodontal disease causes the damage of the supporting structures around the tooth and causes the tooth to become loose.
tooth extraction techniques
Today, tooth extraction is not as scary as it seems. In fact, they are relatively common procedures that can be fixed quickly and without discomfort to the patient. Thanks to the sedation and anesthesia of the tooth, you may not even be aware that the extraction process is taking place, and you will not remember the pain of the procedure afterwards. During a tooth extraction, there are two different techniques your dentist may use:
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Simple drawing technique
A simple tooth extraction technique involves using forceps and an elevator tool to loosen and slowly lift the tooth out of the socket. Simple extraction techniques are usually used in cases where the entire tooth can be extracted in one piece. Simple extractions are usually performed using local anesthesia. ###
surgical pulling technique
A surgical extraction technique involves your dentist making an incision in the gum or splitting the affected tooth into pieces before cutting it into pieces. In fact, a piecemeal tooth extraction is generally performed when the tooth cannot be safely removed in one piece. Dividing the tooth into smaller pieces actually minimizes the impact on the surrounding tissue and promotes faster healing. However, since they are a bit more involved, surgical extractions usually require general anesthesia. After the damaged tooth or teeth are removed, your dentist can place your dental implants. The total number of teeth extracted will determine how many dental implants will be placed. For example, an extracted tooth is replaced with only one dental implant, while the extraction of multiple implants may require two implants for a dental bridge or 4-6 implants for an implant-based prosthesis.
Three different dental implant methods
When it comes to placing dental implants after tooth extraction, there are three different methods your dentist can use. Although there are several different factors that can influence the best method, the most important is how much bone mass your jaw has at the time of extraction. Measuring bone mass is because dental implants must be able to blend with the surrounding bone, or ossify, to be successful. An implant that cannot fuse with the surrounding bone will not anchor properly and will not be able to properly hold the denture in place. Before starting the process of tooth extraction and tooth replacement with dental implants, the dentist will determine which of these three methods will work best for each of your teeth. This is done by taking a detailed 3D scan of your jaw that shows how much bone mass is present. These scans are taken in coordination with the specialized dental implant software that tells your dentist exactly where and at what angle to place your implants. Depending on the findings of the scan and the proposed placement, your dentist may choose one of the following methods:
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Implant planting immediately after tooth extraction
As the name suggests, immediate post-extraction implant placement means that your dental implants are placed immediately after the affected teeth are extracted. In these cases, both extraction and implant placement can be combined into a single procedure. Although most people prefer this method, it can only be safely performed if you have enough bone mass to support the implant during extraction. Immediate implants also work best when used on incisors, canines, or premolars, you can read the tooth naming in the article "How to number teeth" because they only have one root. This ultimately means that not everyone is an ideal candidate for an implant immediately after tooth extraction. ###
delayed implant placement immediately after extraction
In addition to placing implants immediately after tooth extraction, you can also not place them immediately after tooth extraction. This is known as delayed implant placement immediately after extraction and generally refers to implants placed anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months after extraction. This procedure allows the gums and bone around the extraction site to heal before the implants are placed. It also allows time for any lingering infections to heal, such as those from tooth decay or gum disease. Your dentist may also recommend this procedure if you are replacing molars with dental implants that have more than one root. Implants should be placed before 3 months of age to minimize bone loss after removal. ###
Late implant placement
The final method used to place the implant after extraction is the late implant method. This method is usually used when there is not enough bone mass to support the implant during extraction. When there is insufficient bone mass, additional procedures such as bone grafting or a sinus lift may be required to build bone before implant placement. In these cases, bone grafting procedures are usually performed after the tooth is extracted and then allowed to heal. In most cases, it takes about 3-6 months for new bone to form. This means that implants are usually placed about 3-6 months after bone extraction, when there is enough bone to support them. If you have had a molar or premolar tooth removed, you should allow a 10-week post-extraction period before you can schedule a dental implant procedure. This gives your mouth enough time to heal so that the gums are stable enough to hold the new implant in place. If the tooth you're pulling is a canine or incisor and your gums are healthy, you may be able to get an implant right away. However, the exact waiting period may vary from patient to patient. Placing the implant is only the first step in the process. Once the implant is integrated with your jawbone, the crown can be placed to complete the tooth replacement procedure. This usually happens 2 to 3 months after implant placement. When you talk to your dentist about a tooth extraction, they will advise you how long you should wait before you can replace the tooth. If you have any questions about tooth extraction or tooth implant procedure, be sure to contact Dr. Mehdi Ali Babaei's clinic. Our team will be happy to provide you with the information you need to make the right decisions for your oral health.
Why should you not delay for dental implants?
When you have a tooth extracted, it leaves a gap between your teeth that can not only make your smile look unsightly, but can also lead to a number of complications. If you don't replace the tooth, this gap can cause the other teeth in your mouth to be crooked, which is one of the causes of crooked teeth, and this can make tooth decay more difficult to fix and can even cause your jawbone to weaken. This in turn can affect your oral health and even the appearance of your face. You can avoid these complications by planning for dental implants or other tooth replacement procedures as soon as possible. You and the dentist can monitor your progress after tooth extraction to determine the right time to perform the implant procedure. If you have experienced bone loss in your jaw, your dentist may require bone grafting before placing an implant.