The primary goal of your oral surgeon is to preserve your natural teeth for as long as possible. Ideally, your teeth would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, in some situations, a tooth becomes so badly damaged or diseased that it cannot be salvaged. The best approach in those cases is to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant. A common question from tooth extraction patients is whether a dental implant be placed immediately after extraction in the same procedure. The answer: it depends.
The Importance of Prompt Tooth Replacement
Certainly, it matters that you have your missing tooth replaced as promptly as possible. Any time a tooth is removed, the jawbone loses the stimulation it once received from the root of that tooth. This loss of stimulation can quickly cause the bone to atrophy, resulting in a number of oral health concerns.
The only way to stop the bone from reabsorbing is to replace the lost root with an implant. Replacing a tooth with an implant sooner rather than later minimizes the amount of bone lost after the tooth is lost. It stands to reason that placing an implant in the same appointment as the tooth extraction could prevent jaw bone resorption entirely.
Is Same-Day Extraction and Tooth Replacement an Option?
In some situations, it may not be possible to replace the tooth on the same day that it is removed. This is typically because an additional procedure is required to prepare the mouth for tooth replacement. For example, you may need a bone graft to ensure your implant can be properly anchored in place.
However, there are cases in which same-day extraction and placement may be possible. If no preparatory procedures are required before your dental implants are placed, or if a tooth must be extracted to accommodate the use of the All-on-4® treatment concept, then the dental implants can be placed at the same appointment as the teeth extraction.
Explore Your Options for Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most common solution for replacing missing or extracted teeth. To find out more about effective implant placement, read about the implant services provided by Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center.
