The time to consider having a dental implant is before it is ever extracted. As soon as the tooth is extracted the bone will begin to shrink. You can not stop this from happening. For some it happens faster than others, but for most it only takes a couple of months to lose a lot of bone. Generally you can not see the bone loss because it happens under the gum.
If the situation is ideal the tooth can be extracted and an implant placed at the same time or very soon after the extraction.
The old adage “if you don’t use it, you will lose it” applies to the bone in your mouth too! If you stopped using your right arm entirely for a few weeks, it would shrink and become less functional. You may have to undergo physical therapy to regenerate its strength and function.
Once a tooth is extracted, the bone that once surrounded that tooth is no longer stimulated by the force put on it when you chew. Because there is no force or daily stimulation to the bone, it shrinks. It shrinks very quickly and will continue to do so until an implant is placed.
A bridge does not prevent bone loss. A denture or partial accelerates bone loss.
So being evaluated for implants before you ever had an extraction may allow you to prevent the bone loss. By preventing bone loss, you will have saved your self money, reduced the need for a bone or gum graft, and decrease the treatment time considerably. Preventing bone loss also allows for the most esthetic results possible.
It is unfortunate that too many people wait so long to have the procedure done.Take care of it when it is a small problem!
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I also find that people don’t floss under bridges, but flossing around a single impant tooth is very easy!
You have a very informative blog. I didn’t know that if the tooth is extracted the bone will begin to shrink.
Hi Dr Amin,
This is a very good article and does highlight the need of faster follow up dental treatment, namely implants following extraction.
You’ve got an informative blog – we’ll keep following it.
Hi Max,
It is unfortunate that most people, including dentists don’t get this information out to the public.
Keeping a tooth until it falls out is not a good option anymore.
Dental implants are very straightforward when there is no bone loss. Keeping a bad tooth only worsens the prognosis and increases the price and risk.
Dear Dr Amin,
I wonder whether you could help me. I am absolutely shocked by the news that I have horizontal bone atrophy. I was just about to have braces put up.
I have just started reading up on this topic on the internet to familiarise myself and I came across your excellent website. Would you advise against having braces if one has bone atrophy? Does it accelerate the bone loss? I am a 34 year female who always looked after her teeth and never had any gum disease. What could have caused the start of the bone loss at such an early age?
Your response would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Kind regards,
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
You want to have your gums in excellent condition BEFORE you put braces on. Make sure the bone loss is stabilized before braces. A deep cleaning is the first step.
I suspect you have had gum disease for many years unbeknownst to you. It is painless until the advanced stages. Be sure to have your teeth cleaned every 3-4 months by someone well versed in gum disease management.
Good luck!
Dr. Ramsey Amin
I would appreciate your expert advice. I am 45 yr old male and can handle the truth. After 3 xrays and examination my dentist suspects that teeth #10 and #11 are fractured and also presenting with infection. I was referred to an endondist for a second opinion and am taking antibiotic and pain medicine. I have pain at the crown of my head, moderate eye pressure, sharp moments of pain to the ear, sore jaw, swollen face and redness. Truthfully speaking and assuming the worst scenario, am I better off healthwise and financially to have them both extracted and replaced with implants? Or should I go along with recommended RCTs, crowns, etc?
Hi. I’m 31 years old, and want to get pregnant for 1st time, but one of my teeth was root canal and now it is broken infected so my dentist suggests me to extract that tooth and use an implant as soon as possible!!! But as I know dental implant is very dangerous for pregnancy.
I would like to know that is it possible to get pregnant after a dental implant and is not it risky for child health?
Hi Barbara,
You can most likely still have braces.
After the braces are done, the bone may be able to be re-built!
Good Luck!
Dr. Amin
Hi Albina,
Have the implant either before or after pregnancy. Do not have it during pregnacy.
The implant itself poses no risk to the child, but there is no need to have a surgery while you are pregnant.
Does this help?
Dr. Amin
Hi Ray,
I would go with your doctors recommendations. Without seeing you, I can’t offer that specific of advice.
You are welcome to come to my office if you live here.
Respectfully,
Ramsey Amin, DDS
Dr. Amin, i previously posted about the costs of acrylic vs porcelain permanent dentures – upper and lower: 16,000 for acrylic vs 25000 for porcelain. To answer your reply, this does not include the initial surgical procedure which consisted of bone graft and sinus lift: 7 titanium rods on top and 5 on the bottom: cost for this procedure – approx 19,000. dollars