Many general dentists are completing training, so they are qualified to place dental implants for patients who need replacement of natural teeth. When a patient must have some bone grafting performed before the implants, going to a clinic for Oral Surgery in Summit NJ is required. Some individuals have a certain level of bone loss in the jaw that makes the Jawbone inadequate for supporting implants. This process makes it possible for nearly everyone to be a good candidate for implants.
Bone loss in the jaw is caused by various factors. Older women often develop osteoporosis, a loss of bone density that can occur due to hormonal changes after menopause. People who smoked for a number of years may have lost some bone density in the jaw because of the toxic effects of the habit. Another factor involves the loss of teeth long ago that were not replaced by implants. The jawbone tends to gradually shrink when no roots are there to stimulate it during chewing. For many individuals, this only affects a relatively small part of the mouth, commonly in the back.
Bone grafting in all these situations allows patients to have implants placed and to enjoy the positive effects of artificial teeth that are very similar to natural ones. The primary stipulation is that a patient who has been a smoker or has indulged in tobacco chewing regularly must have quit and must not start again. Tobacco use is the main issue associated with implant failure, so practitioners of Oral Surgery in Summit NJ are unlikely to even consider placing implants in patients who have not stopped.
Implants are suitable for replacing one tooth, several teeth or full sets. Dentists strongly encourage their patients to choose implants over other options for teeth replacement. The implants function like natural teeth roots and help maintain bone density in the jaw. They provide a more stable chewing surface than removable bridges and dentures do, and they are extremely difficult to distinguish from real teeth. After the placement of implants at a dental practice such as Westfield Oral Surgery, patients can expect to be fully satisfied with the devices.
