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Question:
Implants and gum disease: I am 36 years old and 7 months ago I had a loose top front tooth extracted.
This was followed a few weeks later with laser surgery to correct the peridontal disease I was told my gums had.
My dentist says that my gums improved a lot, but that it will probably be another YEAR before an implant. My gums have healed pretty well, I think, and haven't bled once since the procedure.
I've already had to deal with the embarassment of the obvious gap for 7 months before he finally made my 'flipper' last week. Now I can't talk correctly whenever I wear it.
I want an implant. Do I really have to wait another year to see an oral surgeon about one? Can't one be placed now? Should I seek a second opinion or wait? ...Visitor from TX
Answer:
It is difficult to say without seeing you or having an xray, however, in most cases we are able to place an implant into a socket after it has been grafted about four months after it was placed.
Depending on the grafting material, some need more time to heal. You may want to talk to your dentist about some flipper alternatives that fit over your teeth like an Invisalign appliance as compared to covering the palate.
Click on this link for a flipper alternative that won't interfere with speech or cause other problems normally associated with flippers. Many patients are very pleased with this alternative.
Ara Nazarian, D.D.S.
Michigan Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
1857 East Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan MI 48083
(248) 457-0500
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