Restoring Your Jaw Strength
Advancements in dental technology have improved the lives of countless patients worldwide. At Eastside Dental Implant Center, our Issaquah implant dentist, Dr. Sidhu, provides dental implants to restore missing or damaged teeth due to trauma, decay, or tooth loss. However, for successful implant placement, ideal candidates require a strong and healthy jawbone so that their fixtures stay in place.
Our implant dentist proudly provides supplemental procedures to patients in Issaquah, WA, and surrounding areas like Bellevue, Sammamish, Newcastle, and Mirrormont, WA. Call us at (425) 526-5424 to learn more about the supplemental treatments offered at our Issaquah dental practice.
What Are Supplemental Procedures?
Supplemental procedures are surgeries designed to correct underlying oral health issues that disqualify patients from receiving dental implants. Such dental issues can include jawbone deterioration and gum tissue recession. By undergoing a supplemental procedure, we can help improve your oral health and increase your chances for successful implant placement.
Ideal Candidates for Supplemental Procedures
To learn more about your implant candidacy, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sidhu at our Issaquah office. Your dentist will examine your mouth, review your medical history, and ask about your smile goals. A supplemental procedure will be recommended if Dr. Sidhu notices:
- Jawbone Deterioration: Since dental implants are secured directly to the jawbone, a patient must have sufficient bone density for support.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease can lead to several oral health issues, such as gum recession, which can cause your implant treatment to fail.
Our Supplemental Procedures
Bone Grafting
A bone graft is a restorative treatment that uses healthy bone tissue to increase your jawbone density. The graft material is placed directly into your jaw, allowing the cells to absorb it into the jaw bone and stimulate new cell production.
This supplemental procedure can help patients achieve life-changing results, such as:
- Redefine jawbone structure
- Creates a strong foundation for implants
- Improved jaw function
- Clarified speech
- Slowed aging process
- Boosted confidence in your smile
Soft Tissue Augmentation
Periodontal (gum) disease is a common issue that can impact the likelihood of your implant placement being successful. With soft tissue augmentation, also known as gum grafting, we can improve your smile’s appearance and oral health. This procedure is similar to bone grafting but enhances gum cell production rather than stimulating the jawbone.
We’ll begin by taking healthy gum tissue and grafting it to certain areas where your gums are receding. Over time, it’ll stimulate the healthy cell growth needed to prepare your mouth for dental implants.
Gum grafting provides great benefits, such as:
- Covers exposed tooth roots
- Reduces gum recession and sensitivity
- Improves gum health and appearance
- Promotes successful dental implant integration
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is a supplemental procedure that involves relocating part of your sinuses. This creates more room in your upper jaw for a bone graft and dental implants. We only recommend sinus lifts for patients with insufficient bone height beneath their noses or who have sinuses that are too close to their jaw.
This supplemental procedure provides many advantages, such as:
- Increases bone volume in the upper jaw
- Allows for proper dental implant placement
- Improves implant stability and success rate
- Restores function and aesthetics in the posterior maxilla
Recovery and Aftercare
After undergoing any of these supplemental procedures, proper recovery and aftercare are essential for successful healing and optimal results. General post-operative instructions may include:
- Avoiding strenuous activities for the first few days
- Maintaining good oral hygiene while being gentle around the surgical site
- Taking prescribed pain medication and antibiotics as directed
- Applying cold compresses to minimize swelling
- Adhering to a soft or liquid diet for the initial healing period
Specific instructions may vary depending on the procedure performed. For example, after a sinus lift, patients may need to avoid blowing their nose or sneezing forcefully for several weeks to prevent dislodging the bone graft material.
It’s essential to follow all post-operative instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor healing and address any potential complications promptly.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
The cost of supplemental procedures can vary depending on the specific procedure, the extent of treatment required, and the geographical location. On average:
- Bone grafting can range from $300 to $1,200 per site
- Sinus lift can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per site
- Gum grafting can range from $600 to $1,200 per tooth
Insurance coverage for these procedures may vary depending on the patient’s specific plan and the reason for the treatment. Some dental insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost, especially if the procedure is deemed medically necessary for restorative or functional purposes.
It’s essential to check with your insurance provider and discuss the expected costs, coverage, and financing options during the consultation with Dr. Sidhu.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll only be recommended for a supplemental procedure if your dentist determines your current level of oral health won’t allow dental implants. If you lack sufficient bone density or healthy gums, you likely won’t qualify for dental implants.
No! Before beginning your bone or tissue graft, your implant provider will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Just like any other procedure, you may experience mild discomfort once the numbness fades. This can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
If you continue to experience soreness or discomfort after it should have passed, call your implant dentist’s office to immediately schedule an appointment. Your dentist will evaluate your situation and work to relieve any painful symptoms.
To increase your chances of implant placement success, implant dentists recommend following these instructions:
- Avoid putting pressure on the surgical site
- Be gentle performing your oral hygiene routine
- Protect your surgical site from clenching and grinding with a mouthguard
- Follow a liquid and soft-food-based diet until it’s healed
- Avoid smoking and alcohol usage before and after your procedure
You must avoid certain foods and drinks during the first 24 hours following your supplemental procedure. This may include:
- Very hot and cold drinks
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Spicy, crunchy, or tough foods
It’s best to eat soft foods like yogurt and applesauce and to stick to room-temperature, low-sugar drinks. Your implant dentist will recommend not eating until your local anesthetic has worn off to avoid damaging the surgical site. They’ll also provide you with additional aftercare instructions based on your procedure.