Prepare Your Teeth for Dental Implants
Although most patients can have their dental implants placed immediately without any preparation, some may benefit from undergoing a supplemental procedure to strengthen their oral health. If you suffer from gum disease or a weak jawbone, chances are your candidacy may not be the best for dental implants. Fortunately at Zajac Dental, our Oakville, ON dentist Dr. Zajac can boost your eligibility for dental implants for supplemental procedures.
Want to learn more about our various supplemental procedures? Read our guide below to learn how our dentist can help improve your oral health and candidacy for dental implants. We also serve patients in Flagarwood, Holton Heights, Sunningdale, and West Oak Trails, ON.
What Are Supplemental Procedures?
A supplemental procedure is designed to improve oral health in preparation for dental implants. It can include professional cleaning, jawbone grafting, or treating periodontal disease. During your consultation with Dr. Zajac, he’ll evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you require additional treatment beforehand. We’ll work with you and help develop a unique plan that will help you achieve the goals you have for your smile goals.
Our Supplemental Procedures
Bone Grafting
For patients who have been missing teeth for a while, the lack of stimulation can cause your jawbone to slowly deteriorate over time. In these cases, Dr. Zajac can perform a bone graft to increase the bone mass in the area where it’s placed. During this procedure, bone tissue that’s taken from another part of the mouth or body, or from a donated source, is placed in the weakest area of the jawbone to reinforce your dental implant.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is a process wherein your implant dentist replaces gum tissue where it’s lacking. This involves Dr. Zajac taking gum tissue from another source, usually in the inside of your mouth, and placing it where it needs to go. Gum grafting has numerous benefits, including providing more tissue for dental implant stabilization, treating sensitivity by covering exposed tooth roots, and making your smile more look more appealing.
Sinus Augmentation
When teeth are missing from the upper jawbone, the bone loss that occurs enlarges the sinuses, causing issues for those who need dental implants. Fortunately, sinus augmentation, also known as a sinus lift, is a type of bone grafting procedure that can fix this problem, In this procedure, Dr. Zajac will add a bone graft to the sinus area, ultimately increasing the bone dentistry so that your implant can be successfully placed.
Gum Disease Treatment
It’s important to have healthy gums to ensure a successful dental implant outcome. If you’re suffering from signs of periodontal (gum) disease, such as bleeding or swollen gums, we can treat the infection and improve your oral health before your implant procedure. At Zajac Dental, we offer a full range of periodontal treatments to help improve the strength of your gums. Depending on your unique case, you may require additional treatment.
Tooth Extraction
Your oral health can impact the success rate of your implant surgery. If you have a severely infected or decayed tooth that threatens your entire smile, you may need to have it completely removed with a tooth extraction. While invasive, removing a tooth that puts your smile at risk can create the perfect environment for your restoration. Best of all, Dr. Zajac will work to develop a custom dental implant that will blend with your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a supplemental procedure?
Patients need a supplemental procedure if they’re suffering from the poor condition of their gums and jawbone. If not addressed, these patients will be unable to support their dental implants. Your dentist will recommend a supplemental procedure only if it’s completely necessary. Without this intervention, you’ll face a higher risk of implant failure, infection, or possibly even tooth loss.
How long is the recovery from a supplemental procedure?
The recovery time after your supplemental procedure will depend on the severity of your condition. For patients with extensive damage caused by jaw deterioration or advanced stages of gum disease, it may take longer for their smile to heal before receiving dental implants. After Dr. Zajac examines your teeth and gums, he’ll provide you with an accurate timeline of your overall recovery.
Should I adjust my diet after a supplemental procedure?
It’s important to avoid certain foods and drinks during the first 24 hours following your supplemental procedure. This can include:
- Very hot and cold drinks
- Applying pressure using a straw
- Spicy, crunchy, or tough foods
It’s best to eat soft foods like yogurt and applesauce. Dr. Zajac also recommends not eating until your local anesthetic has worn off to avoid damaging the surgical site. We’ll also provide you with additional aftercare instructions based on your procedure.
Does my insurance cover supplemental procedures?
Most insurance companies will cover a portion of your supplemental procedures, but some won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Our practice recommends contacting your provider to get a detailed understanding of your coverage. If you have any questions, you can also reach out to your implant dentist and team for further financial assistance.
Enhance Your Smile’s Strength With Dr. Zajac
Don’t let poor oral health get in the way of enjoying the benefits of dental implants. Our professional dentist, Dr. Zajac, offers supplemental procedures to fix your jawbone and improve your gumline to boost the success rate of your implant procedure. Using our advanced dental technology, he can help you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve.
Contact our Oakville, ON office today by calling us at (905) 901-3824 or by filling out a contact form to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you reach your smile goals! We serve patients in Flagarwood, Holton Heights, Sunningdale, and West Oak Trails, ON.