Smile Correction Devices: The Good, The Bad And The Amazing

There are a seemingly endless number of dental problems that a patient may encounter. Unfortunately, these problems can often result in the loss of a tooth, and when this tooth is highly visible, it may be necessary to install a dental implant to correct the cosmetic and functional issues that can arise due to a missing tooth. However, some patients may need to undergo regenerative therapy before they are able to receive this implant. If you have recently learned that you will require this procedure, you might benefit from the following couple of answers to common regenerative therapy questions.

Why Would A Patient Need Regenerative Therapy?

In order for a dental implant to be successfully installed, it will need to be inserted into the jaw bone. Without being securely held in place by this bone, it would be possible for the dental implant to come loose. Unfortunately, if the tooth has been missing for awhile or the patient suffered from severe gum disease, it is possible for the jaw to have weakened. By undergoing regenerative therapy, it may be possible for a patient to have their jaw strengthened enough to support the installation of a dental implant.

What Should You Expect When Undergoing Regenerative Therapy?

Unfortunately, it should be noted that regenerative therapy can be a rather lengthy treatment process. During the actual surgery, the dentist will need to make an incision along the gums to reach the jaw bone. This will allow them to inject a material that can both bond to the bones and encourage bone growth. While the actual procedure for placing the bone supplement is relatively short, it can take several months for the jaw bone to fully bond to the artificial bone and generate enough new bone growth to support the implant.The idea of waiting months to receive an implant may not sound appealing, but it is the only option for patients that have suffered a substantial loss of bone in the jaw.

Regenerative therapy can help patients that are needing to receive a dental implant, but this is a procedure that can be difficult for a patient to appreciate. Without this type of treatment, many patients would find that they lack enough jaw bone mass to safely support an implant. By understanding the important role of regenerative therapy when receiving an implant and what you should expect from this procedure, you will find yourself in a stronger position to be an informed dental patient throughout your treatment.