I Had Tooth #18 Extracted 20-25 Yrs Ago. Can I Now Have It Replaced with an Implant or is It Too Late?

One of the reasons your dentist is telling you to hold of is because they probably want to give you at least one functional chewing side on the right, before addressing the left side.  Even though you lost your tooth a long time ago, it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have enough bone for implant placement.  This greatly varies between individuals.  In order to establish whether you have sufficient bone or not, I would recommend taking a CT Scan (3D x-ray) and have it clinically evaluated by a Board Certified Periodontist.

 

Best,

 

Dr. Krivitsky 

Implants are excellent options to replace missing teeth. Check to make sure that there is enough bone to place the implant and that there is an opposing tooth to bite against. Ask your dentist if you can start the placement of the implant in the bone as it takes a few months until you can place the crown on it.

Yes you can it is never to late but for a fixed bridge or dental implant or removable bridge you need to make sure your teeth have not drifted and the dentist has enough room to replace the missing tooth good luck

 

Kevin Coughlin DMD, MBA, MAGD      CEO Baystate Dental PC

It's not necessarily too late. The first question in doing implants is always to learn whether there is enough bone. To place a dental implant, you need enough of the right type of bone in the right location. X-rays and or a cone beam CT can determine if there is enough bone to place an implant. Even if you don't have enough bone, a surgeon can explain your options for bone grafting.

You can easily get your missing tooth replaced with implant provided sufficient bone is available. The dentist would want to get a CBCT scan done to evaluate the bone and surrounding structures before suggesting the feasibility of dental implants.Thanks.

The length of time since the extraction is not the determining factor.  Whether there is sufficient bone left in the site to support an implant. is what is critical.  There may also be an option to add bone with a graft if needed.

That is a great question.  What I would recommend is getting a CBCT x-ray so you can find out the exact amount of bone you have remaining.  You can plan the entire case on the computer and go from there.  There is no need to wait until those are done of you prefer, you can get the planning process going.  Good Luck!!

As long as there is adequate bone in the former site of tooth #18, it's not too late to place an implant there.

just check that there is enough space on the antagonist arcade,for the crown, this is one of the biggest complications, even if you can place the implant ,there its not enough space for the crown .

There is no reason that an implant cannot be placed.  If there isn't enough bone, a bone graft can be done.