Can you have a dental implant if the tooth was removed years ago?

There are many reasons to remove a tooth. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but sometimes tooth removal is a choice made out of convenience or financial necessity. While many people adapt to tooth loss, if replacing a missing tooth is a priority, understanding what options are available is important.

Will waiting too long mean I can't have an implant?

To address this question, it’s important to first understand the nature of a dental implant. A dental implant is a method of replacing missing teeth by using a small cylinder constructed from titanium.

This cylinder is placed within the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth, thus creating an artificial root. Afterwards, an artificial tooth (crown) is placed on top of the implant. The advantage of using titanium is that it’s very durable, won’t rust and the titanium will eventually bond with the bone tissue at a molecular level (osseointegration).

A dental implant can be used to replace a missing tooth at any stage, as long as there is enough bone volume.

Do you need a single implant for every replacement tooth?

While the most common type of dental implant is designed to replace a single tooth, multiple implants can be used in order to replace multiple missing teeth. This is known as an implant supported bridge and can be a good option for those who are currently wearing a partial denture.

Even those who need to wear a full denture have the option of using an implant-retained denture in which multiple implants can be used to secure a full denture or reconstruct an entire arch. In this case, the denture can still be removed for cleaning, but the implants lend increased stability and retention.

What if the teeth were removed some time ago?

When it comes to whether it’s possible to use a dental implant to replace a tooth that was removed in years past, the short answer is “yes”. However, certain conditions are required. Dental implants can be used at any time, as long as the patient is healthy and there is sufficient bone in order to anchor the implant.

In this case, determining if there is sufficient bone mass for an implant is best assessed with the use of a 3D X-ray. The reason for this has to do with the fact that jawbone shrinkage can occur when a tooth is removed. However, the extent of this shrinkage is determined by the tooth location, the presence of surround teeth, and the condition of the tooth prior to removal.

In addition, the use of specialised implant-planning software is used to simulate ideal implant positioning. This process can also accurately assess whether an implant is feasible, considering the amount of the bone that is available. If it happens to be the case that an implant will not be possible, sometimes a bone augmentation procedure can be considered to increase the bone volume at the proposed implant site. If this is still inadequate, a partial denture or a bridge may be a viable option.

If you would like to discuss tooth removal or dental implants book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos or Dr Sam Rosehill at Ethical Dental on 6652 3185 or book online.

To find out more about dental implants check out our articles Will Dental Implants Rust? and What is better, a dental implant or a dental bridge?.