Supplemental Procedures

Better Implant Candidacy With Supplemental Procedures

When you’re dealing with missing teeth, dental implants are often touted as the go-to method for restoring your smile for the long term. However, there may be barriers you face before you receive implants. Maybe you lack gum tissue or bone density at the surgical site, factors that can increase the risk of implant failure. 

Fortunately, at Eggleston Dental Care, Turlock implant dentist Dr. Jim Eggleston provides supplemental procedures to prepare your smile for implants and increase your chances of implant success. Learn more about supplemental procedures and how they can make you a better candidate for dental implants by dialing 209-226-4963.

What Are Supplemental Procedures?

Supplemental procedures in dentistry are extra treatments done alongside the main dental procedure to make sure it goes well. These additional steps could include things like preparing the area, providing extra support, or making improvements to get the best results. These extra steps are tailored to the specific needs of the patient and the main dental treatment they’re receiving.

Benefits of Supplemental Procedures

Supplemental procedures provide a wide array of benefits, not just for implant placement, but for the overall health and aesthetics of your smile. Some of the numerous benefits of undergoing supplemental procedures include the following: 

• Space Preparation: Tooth extraction provides the necessary space for the secure and proper placement of dental implants, ensuring optimal positioning within the jaw.
• Improved Implant Stability: Gum grafting & bone grafting contribute to the stability of dental implants, reducing the risk of movement or displacement.
• Comfortable Integration: By minimizing gum recession, gum grafting enhances the comfort and natural feel of dental implants.
• Harmonious Gumline: The procedure ensures a seamless and natural gum line around dental implants, enhancing overall aesthetic outcomes.
• Stability Enhancement: Ridge augmentation creates a strong and stable foundation, optimizing the long-term success of dental implants.
• Improved Bone Structure: The procedure enhances the jawbone’s structural integrity, providing better support for dental implants.
• Preserving Jawbone Density: Socket preservation prevents bone loss after tooth extraction, maintaining the density and volume of the jawbone.
• Increased Bone Height: Sinus lifts ensure there’s sufficient bone height in the upper jaw, facilitating secure and successful dental implant placement.
• Supporting Implant Integration: Supplemental procedures create an environment conducive to the integration of dental implants in the upper jaw, ensuring a reliable and lasting outcome.
• Improved Chewing Ability: Dental implants placed with optimal supplemental procedures enhance the overall functionality of the bite, allowing for improved chewing and biting capabilities.
• Reduced Risk of Complications: Supplemental procedures contribute to minimizing potential complications, promoting the overall health and longevity of dental implants.

Supplemental Procedures At Eggleston Dental Care 

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure where a tooth is carefully removed from its socket in the jawbone. This may be necessary due to severe decay, damage, or to make space for orthodontic treatment. Dentists use specialized instruments to gently loosen the tooth and then extract it. After extraction, our Turlock dentist may recommend options for replacing the missing tooth, such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is a surgical procedure designed to treat gum recession by adding gum tissue to areas where it has pulled away from the tooth. This can help reduce tooth sensitivity, protect the tooth roots, and enhance the overall appearance of the smile. The graft tissue is usually taken from another part of the mouth or a tissue bank. Gum grafting promotes gum health and restores a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing gumline.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used in dentistry to restore or augment bone in the jaw. During the procedure, a dentist or oral surgeon places graft material—typically sourced from the patient’s own body, a donor, or synthetic sources—into the targeted area of the jaw. This graft serves as a scaffold, encouraging the natural growth of new bone cells. Types of bone graft procedures include socket preservation, ridge augmentation, and sinus lifts. 

Ridge augmentation is a bone grafting procedure performed to rebuild and reshape the jawbone after tooth loss, preventing the bone from collapsing or becoming uneven. This helps create a solid foundation for dental implants or enhances the appearance of the jawline.

Socket preservation is a specific type of bone grafting done at the time of tooth extraction to prevent bone loss. After removing a tooth, the empty socket is filled with graft material, typically made of bone particles. This promotes healing and maintains the structure of the jawbone, making it more conducive for future dental implant placement.

A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw, specifically in the area of the premolars and molars. This procedure is often necessary when the sinuses are too close to the jaw for dental implants to be placed securely. During a sinus lift, the sinus membrane is lifted, and bone graft material is added to strengthen the bone. Sinus lifts provide a stable foundation for dental implants in the posterior upper jaw.

Who Qualifies for Supplemental Dental Procedures?

Qualification for supplemental procedures depends on the specific needs and oral health conditions of the patient. Dr. Eggleston will determine your eligibility for these procedures based on various factors, including:

• Individuals with severely decayed, damaged, or impacted teeth may qualify for tooth extraction. 
• Patients with gum recession, exposing tooth roots and causing sensitivity, may be candidates for gum grafting. 
• Patients who have experienced bone loss after tooth extraction or have an uneven jawbone may qualify for ridge augmentation, especially if considering dental implants.
• Individuals undergoing tooth extraction, particularly when planning for future dental implant placement, may be eligible for socket preservation to prevent bone loss.
• Candidates for sinus lifts are typically individuals with insufficient bone height in the upper jaw, particularly in the premolar and molar regions, who are planning to receive dental implants.

Frequently Asked Questions