Hearing from a dentist that “you don’t have enough bone for an implant” can be discouraging. Or perhaps you have had tooth loss for years. Now you think permanent tooth replacement won’t work. Patients in Houston come to our office feeling dejected that they might have to settle for removable dentures instead. But wait, there’s still hope. Bone loss doesn’t automatically make you ineligible for dental implants. Carry on reading!
Why Does Bone Loss Occur?
Your jawbone naturally shrinks once a tooth is lost or extracted. The cells in your jawbone receive that stimulus from your teeth when you chew or bite. When you lose the tooth, the stimulus stops. So eventually, your jawbone resorbs.
Many people are not aware of this phenomenon. They get accustomed to the feeling of a missing tooth and don’t consider replacing it unless there’s a serious problem. The space remains empty, and bone loss continues. By the time they visit an implant dentist, much of the bone has already resorbed.
Solutions for Patients With Bone Loss
Severe bone loss will make you reconsider your options. But it doesn’t mean you can’t have dental implants. Our Houston dental implant specialist, Dr. Hwang, may recommend:
Bone grafting
This is a very effective approach for patients with bone loss. Since dental implants need strong enough bone to hold them in place, we can rebuild that sturdy foundation by adding a bone graft. The graft material is typically taken from your own body or a donor source.
This gets your jawbone ready for a new implant. Dr. Hwang specializes in immediate implant placement with same-day bone grafting. This cuts down on the number of visits, getting you to your desired results much faster.
Mini dental implants
Don’t have enough bone for a conventional dental implant? Consider mini dental implants. These special types of implants are generally about half the diameter of a standard implant.
Their unique size and design make them a great option for those who don’t have enough jawbone support. Having a smaller size doesn’t mean they’re half as effective. They function really well, especially when cared for the right way.
All-on-4® implants (for full-arch replacement)
Full-arch replacement is a much more involved process. Instead of replacing each tooth with an implant, we use a more conservative technique at our Houston office. We place only four implants, but very strategically, engaging the maximum support of your available jawbone.
Even for patients who have had some bone loss, the All-on-4® approach gives very promising results. Many patients walk back with a temporary full-arch restoration the same day! The permanent restoration is placed when the implants have healed.
Final Words
Bone support matters for implant placement. But not having enough jawbone doesn’t mean you can’t think of dental implants as an option. You still can! Reach out to our dental implant experts at New Smiles Dental Implant Center and find out we can help restore your teeth, even if you have bone loss. Call us at (832) 770-7777 (Bellaire office) or (832) 702-7101 (Galleria office) to book an appointment.