If you have missing teeth, dental implants could be a great way to restore the function and appearance of your smile, but dental implants aren't suitable for everyone. Here's more from our Surrey dentist on who can get dental implants.
Dental implants are a permanent and natural looking tooth replacement option for people with missing teeth.
That said, not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. Only patients with a strong healthy jawbones and gums are able to support the implant.
If you suffer from oral health problems such as gingivitis, or bone loss due to a tooth abscess, you may not be suitable for dental implant surgery.
In some cases a bone graft can be done to help to strengthen the jawbone and make dental implants a viable option.
If you require a bone graft, the surgeon will take a section of bone from another part of your body, or use a special bone grafting material, and graft it onto your jaw bone.
Following the grafting procedure you will need to wait several months for your jaw to heal before the implant can be placed.
Bone grafting helps to create a strong and stable jaw bone to support the dental implant.