Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?
If you are missing one or more teeth, it’s paramount that you start considering restoration options. And not just because of the aesthetic impact a lost tooth can have on your smile. When you are missing teeth, the jaw bone isn’t stimulated anymore, which can lead to bone loss. As the bone mass density decreases, you can start experiencing sagging skin, wrinkles, as well as other disorders such as TMJ.
But, what if you had a missing tooth for quite a while now and the dentist already warned you that your jaw has lost bone mass? Can you still get a dental implant?
Let’s find out!
First: How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants are part of restorative dentistry treatments as they can help replace one or several missing teeth, including the root.
A metal post is inserted into the jawbone, acting like the tooth root. When the integration and healing process is completed, an abutment is attached to the post. This will act as a connection between the metal post and the crown.
The crown will be the final step of the implant process.
Since the metal post must be inserted in the jawbone, it needs enough tissue to be supported. But, if you suffer from bone loss, this might be an issue.
So, what can you do about it?
Can You Still Get Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?
The good news is that it’s still possible to get a dental implant even with bone loss.
- Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that adds density and volume to the implant site to strengthen the structural integrity of your jaw.
The healthy bone can be made from a variety of materials, from your own body or from a donor, or even lab-made synthetic tissues, and will be implanted into the jawbone to help support the implant. You will need to wait for a couple of months for the tissue to integrate with the jawbone.
Because bone is a living tissue, the stimulation process will begin with the graft and then continue after the implant is placed.
Wondering If You Are a Good Candidate for Implants? Call Us!
If you have had missing teeth for a long time and are worried dental implants are not for you, then you should get in touch with Timberlake Dental.
We will perform a thorough investigation and offer you the best treatment for your needs.
If you are considering dental treatments, contact us and we will book your appointment as soon as possible.
Comments are closed.