When is it Too Late to Get Dental Implants?

A dental implant can be a life-changing procedure for people with missing teeth. If you have been living with a gap in your smile for a long time, however, you may be wondering if it’s too late to consider an implant. 

The good news is that it is almost never too late to get a dental implant! That being said, there are a few situations that may make dental implants more complicated. Here’s what you need to know.

Bone Loss

When a tooth is removed or lost, it’s important to replace it with an implant as soon as possible. This is because the area where the tooth used to be will begin to shrink due to lack of stimulation, a process known as bone resorption. Bone resorption starts within just a few months of tooth extraction. Dental implants need the support of a strong, stable bone structure, so if you delay your dental implant, you can end up with significant bone loss that makes it difficult or even impossible to place an implant. 

Tooth Misalignment

If a space is in your teeth for an extended period of the time, the rest of your teeth may shift. This misalignment could cause the gap to become too small for an implant, or mean that your teeth need to be straightened before an implant can be placed.

Gum Disease

Severe gum disease could mean that your gum tissue is too weak to support an implant. In some cases, a gum graft may solve this problem. But if your gum disease is too severe, a dental implant may not be possible until you get the gum disease corrected and possibly have bone grafting.

It’s Never Too Late to Explore Your Options

If you’ve been living with missing teeth, don’t assume it’s too late to get dental implants. Advances in dental technology mean that most patients can still benefit from implants, even years after losing a tooth. Schedule a consultation at Bellaire Modern Dental and let us evaluate your oral health and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Your perfect smile could still be within reach!