Preparation for Dental Implants
At your consultation, Dr. Rink will evaluate the state of your oral health to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. The initial requirement is having adequate bone density in the jaw to allow for osseointegration of the implant post. If you do not have sufficient bone density, you may need to undergo a bone graft to build up the jawbone. Recovery from a bone graft procedure can take six to nine months, after which time it will be decided if placing a dental implant is feasible.
Patients who have periodontal disease should have this treated before undergoing implant surgery, as gum disease can lead to bone deterioration. For mild cases, a professional deep cleaning followed by meticulous at-home oral care may be enough. For patients with advanced gum disease, gum surgery may be required.
In order to avoid having their implant penetrate the sinus cavity, some patients require a sinus lift. During this procedure, bone is grafted above the molars on the upper jaw, right behind the cheekbones. After a recovery of six to nine months, the graft area will be examined to determine if an implant is possible.