How Jaw Surgery Prepares Your Smile for Dental Implants

May 3, 2022

When tooth loss occurs and time passes before a tooth is replaced, this could mean the jaw weakens with time and causes an aged appearance. To make your smile stable enough to support new teeth, then you may need jaw surgery. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists talk about grafting and sinus lifts.

The Impact of Tooth Loss

When we lose our natural teeth, the body will respond by suspending or diverting the flows of calcium and phosphorus to other parts of the smile, and away for the bone tissue near the missing tooth. Without these nutrients, the structure begins to weaken and breaks down, leading to an aged appearance and further tooth loss. There could also be complications with the growth and the development of the smile that cause weakened bone tissue as well.

The Grafting and Sinus Lift Procedures

Having a weakened smile means there are limits to implant placement, as these new teeth need a certain amount of tissue to support them. To address the lower arch, we could recommend bone grafting. This involves taking tissue from the back of your jaw or hip, or from donor or synthetic sources, and applying it to the weakened portions. This bonds with the smile and shores up the smile. You’re then able to support one or more dental implants. For the upper arch, we could recommend sinus lifts, which involve gently lifting the sinus floor to uncover new tissues to support a tooth. We use sedation with both procedures to ensure you feel calm and comfortable, and we carefully plan the process with advanced imaging systems.

Moving Forward With Tooth Replacement

Once your jaw is restored and healed, we will move forward with dental implant placement. Using digital surgical guides, we gently guide the new root into place, where it bonds with the smile throughout osseointegration. This secures it like a root, and enables the new tooth to last for decades to come, possibly even an entire lifetime. Once it heals, we attach an abutment and a custom-made dental crown, so your new tooth looks natural. We could also use multiple posts to secure a bridge or even a fixed denture.

If you have any questions about grafting, sinus lifts, or implant placement, then contact our team today.

Do You Have Questions About Jaw Surgery?

We’re here to help address your weakened jawbone and replace your missing teeth. Schedule an appointment today and learn more about rebuilding your smile. You can also call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. Find our office at 15010 S Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.