Supplemental Procedures for Dental Implants in Cambridge & Easton, MD

Please note, we may not offer these treatments at our Cambridge or Easton offices. Call 410-228-4191 to learn more.

Improve Your Dental Implant Candidacy With Our Local Dentist

Is the idea of a stable, complete smile just a dream? Does the thought of replacing a missing tooth feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve been told your jawbone isn’t quite ready for dental implants? You’re not alone, and there’s excellent news: even if your bone or gum tissue needs a little extra support, achieving a beautiful, functional smile with dental implants is often still very much within reach with our top dentist in Cambridge!

man visiting the dentistAt Eastern Shore Smile Solutions, Dr. Hiers believes everyone deserves to feel confident about their smile. We use advanced techniques to address unique oral health needs, making dental implants a possibility for more patients. Call 410-228-4191 to schedule your consultation. We proudly welcome patients from Cambridge, Easton, Salisbury, Denton, and St. Michaels.

Why Choose Dr. Hiers’ Local Dental Offices for Dental Implant Procedures?

Thinking about dental implants? Choose local, choose confidence! At Eastern Shore Smile Solutions, Dr. Hiers offers top-tier implant care right here in your Maryland community.

  • Your Neighbor, Your Dentist: Personal Care, Close By. Dr. Hiers and our team are deeply rooted in Cambridge and Easton. We offer personalized implant solutions, getting to know you to create a perfect, lasting smile. Experience consistent, trusted care from a team that truly cares about our community.
  • Convenience You Can Count On: Easy Access for Your Life. Implant treatment involves a few visits. Our local offices mean less travel, less stress, and easy access for all your appointments and any follow-up needs. It’s simply more convenient for patients across Salisbury, Denton, and St. Michaels.
  • Advanced Care, Right Here: Cutting-Edge Implants Near You. Don’t travel far for quality! Dr. Hiers uses state-of-the-art technology and advanced techniques for precise, successful implant placement. Get the best dental implants without leaving your local area.
  • Lasting Results, Local Support: We’re Here for the Long Haul. Your implant success is our priority. Dr. Hiers provides comprehensive post-care guidance and accessible follow-up, ensuring your new smile thrives for years. We’re your long-term partners in oral health and tooth replacement.

Ready for a stable, beautiful smile? Don’t wait! Call Dr. Hiers at Eastern Shore Smile Solutions today for your implant consultation. Restore your confidence with local care you can trust. Call 410-228-4191 now!

When Are Supplemental Implant Procedures Necessary? 

Several factors can lead to insufficient bone or gum tissue:

  • Tooth Loss: When a tooth is extracted, the jawbone that once supported it can begin to resorb or shrink due to lack of stimulation. This jawbone loss can occur rapidly, especially in the months following an extraction. Following tooth loss, bone resorption is irreversible, leaving inadequate bone volume for implant treatment.
  • Gum Disease: Advanced periodontal disease can destroy the bone and soft tissues surrounding teeth.
  • Trauma or Injury: Accidents can lead to bone defects or gum recession.
  • Long-Term Denture Use: Wearing dentures for many years can accelerate jawbone loss.
  • Anatomy: Some individuals naturally have less bone in certain areas, such as the upper jaw near the sinus cavities.

When Dr. Hiers assesses your implant site, if there isn’t enough bone volume or density, or if the gum tissue isn’t robust enough, supplemental procedures become essential. These implant site preparation techniques create the ideal environment for the implant, significantly improving its success rate and longevity.

The Importance of Implant Site Preparation

These supplemental procedures are not merely add-ons; they are often fundamental steps in preparing the jaw for dental implants. They reflect Dr. Hiers’ commitment to long-term success and patient satisfaction. 

Dental implant foundation enhancement procedures ensure that your investment in a new smile is well-protected. By ensuring a robust bone foundation and healthy soft tissue, the risks of implant failure, peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant), and aesthetic complications are significantly reduced. dentist smiling at their office

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Procedures for Dental Implants Near You

Dental Bone Grafting

A dental bone graft is the most common supplemental procedure and is used to increase the amount and density of bone in the jaw. This procedure involves adding bone material (either from your own body, a donor, an animal source, or synthetic materials) to the area where the implant will be placed. The grafted bone then stimulates your body’s natural bone growth, creating a solid foundation. A dental bone graft can last a lifetime, providing a durable solution for implant success.

  • Socket Preservation: This is a type of bone augmentation procedure often performed immediately after a tooth extraction to prep the surgical site and place dental implants. Filling the empty socket with bone graft material helps prevent the jawbone loss that typically occurs following tooth removal. This preserves the bone volume for future implant placement, potentially avoiding more extensive bone grafting for dental implants later.
  • Ridge Augmentation: If the jawbone ridge has become too thin or narrow due to long-term tooth loss, a ridge augmentation dental procedure can widen and heighten the ridge. This creates enough bone width and height to securely place the implant. Ridge augmentation before dental implants is common when bone has been missing for some time.
  • Onlay Grafting: For more significant bone defects, a block of bone may be taken from another part of your body (like the chin or hip) and secured to the jaw. This advanced bone grafting technique Easton uses is reserved for cases requiring substantial bone regeneration.

Sinus Lift Surgery

A sinus lift procedure, also known as a sinus augmentation, gently lifts the floor of the sinus cavity and places bone graft material into the space created. This increases the bone volume in the upper jaw, providing a secure anchorage for dental implants. Sinus lift surgery is necessary when the upper jawbone height is insufficient for dental implants.

Gum Grafting (Soft Tissue Grafting)

Gum grafting for dental implants in Maryland involves transplanting a small piece of gum tissue from another area of your mouth (often the roof of your mouth) to the implant site. This soft tissue graft for dental implants helps to:

  • Create a thicker, more resilient band of gum tissue around the implant.
  • Improve the aesthetic appearance of the implant, making it blend more seamlessly with surrounding teeth.
  • Protect the underlying bone and implant from bacterial ingress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you need a bone graft depends on the amount of existing jawbone at the implant site. Dr. Hiers or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will assess your bone density with X-rays and 3D scans during your initial consultation to determine if a bone graft or other pre-surgery procedures are necessary.

The healing time for bone grafting for dental implants or a sinus lift procedure can vary, typically ranging from three to nine months. If you need a large bone graft, it may take nine to twelve months to heal. This period allows the grafted bone to integrate and become strong enough to support the dental implant.

These procedures are performed with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the treatment. Any post-operative discomfort is usually manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Normal side effects after dental bone grafting include tenderness, swelling, and bruising. Dr. Hiers will provide detailed post-operative care instructions.

In some cases, mini dental implants may be an option for patients with limited bone, potentially avoiding more extensive bone grafting. However, mini implants are not suitable for all situations, and Dr. Hiers will discuss whether a mini dental implant bone graft or a traditional implant is best for your needs.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Surgery Candidacy Appointment with Dr. Hiers

Imagine reclaiming the simple pleasures of eating your favorite foods without discomfort, laughing freely, and smiling confidently in every photograph. That sense of freedom and renewed self-assurance is within your reach. Don’t let bone or gum deficiencies deter you from considering the life-changing benefits of dental implants. 

Ready to explore how supplemental procedures can pave the way for your successful dental implants? Call 410-228-4191 to schedule your consultation with our top dentist in Cambridge. We also welcome patients from Salisbury, Trappe, and Denton.