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Restore Your Jaw Strength With Dr. Kontos
Our Tarpon Springs,FL dentist, Dr. Emanuel Kontos, offers supplemental procedures to help prepare and enhance your candidacy for dental implants. Dental implants are a popular solution for missing or damaged teeth. They’re designed to replace the root of a missing tooth and provide a permanent base for a dental prosthesis. Although they’re a popular and effective solution, Dr. Kontos must first determine if you’re an ideal candidate. If you aren’t quite eligible yet for dental implants, the dentist will suggest a supplemental procedure to strengthen your jaw.
Read more about how supplemental procedures can boost your eligibility for dental implants.
What Are Supplemental Procedures?
Supplemental procedures are a set of treatments that are done in addition to the primary implant surgery to enhance the success and longevity of dental implants. These procedures are tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs and ensure that their dental implants last for a long time.
Our Supplemental Procedures
Soft Tissue Grafting
Soft tissue grafting is a supplemental procedure used to improve the appearance of the gum tissue around dental implants. This procedure involves adding gum tissue to areas that have thin or receded gum tissue, which can help to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile and reduce the risk of implant failure. Soft tissue grafting is often performed before implant placement, but can also be done after implant placement.
Bone Grafting
Other patients choose removable dentures because they’re an easy and inexpensive option. Initially, patients can eat and smile normally, but the bone beneath the missing teeth begins to flatten over time. Similar to patients with receded gums, they’ll learn they may need a supplemental procedure for their receded bone.
Bone grafting procedures can be performed in just a few short visits to our Tarpon Springs dental office. Like gum tissue augmentation, special bone tissues are harvested, and a small incision is made in the area that needs more volume. The graft material is attached and the patient is sent home for healing. The graft then adds proper density to the area to better support a dental implant. After the graft area heals, patients can be evaluated for dental implant candidacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do supplemental procedures take to heal?
Does my insurance cover supplemental procedures?
Can I still get dental implants without a supplemental procedure?
How long do supplemental procedures take to heal?
The healing time for supplemental procedures can vary, but it usually takes several months for the bone to fully integrate and heal. Once your dentist determines you’re healed, they can begin your implant placement.
Does my insurance cover supplemental procedures?
Most insurance companies will cover a portion of your supplemental procedures, however, some won’t cover pre-existing conditions. We recommend contacting your provider to receive more information. If the coverage isn’t enough, ask your dentist if their office provides financing options.
Can I still get dental implants without a supplemental procedure?
Most dentists require all patients to undergo a supplemental procedure if they’re lacking adequate bone density. That way, we can increase the amount of bone in the jaw and set you up for implant success. Supplemental procedures can decrease the risk of failure, infection, and possibly tooth or bone loss.
Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Kontos
Don't let the fear of additional procedures stop you from getting the smile you've always wanted. Our dental team in Tarpon Springs is dedicated to ensuring the success and longevity of your implant. Schedule a consultation today by giving us a call at (727) 361-0326 to learn more about your options and how we can help you achieve a beautiful, confident smile! We’re proud to serve Florida patients in Keystone, Trinity, East Lake, and the surrounding areas.
