We often hear from patients that they were told they are not able to get dental implants. That is typically not the case. There are few patients who cannot receive dental implants. Those patients are typically very ill with poorly controlled disease, active bone diseases or cancer and severely immunocompromised patients. The reason patients are sometimes told that they are not a candidate is a lack of boney support or bone loss. This problem does not have to be permanent. With the new advances in bone graft procedures and technology various types of bone grafting can be done to augment the previously lost bone. These are often difficult procedures that may take more than one surgery to achieve our goals but there are options available to improve the quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement. The question that becomes more accurate for patients is, “are you willing to go through these procedures?” and “are you willing to wait the amount of time necessary to achieve success with implants?”
The seriousness and invasiveness of these procedures is very case specific. Depending on whether the implants are needed in the upper jaw or lower jaw, front or back teeth may make a huge difference in the technique chosen and recovery time. It is important to discuss your treatment options with your general dentist or one of the oral surgeons here at Pottstown Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to create a clear picture of your needs as a patient and the options for your specific case. During your consultation you will get a clear picture of your surgical needs, the recovery process and the financial implications which will allow you to make an informed decision about your dental implant options.