Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?

You are thrilled to regain your missing teeth, but bone erosion could stop you from receiving implants. Yes, this concern is genuine! The good news is that you still have several options for placing artificial tooth roots in your jawbone for final tooth replacement. 

You can experience bone loss due to many problems, which can be reversed with appropriate treatment. Let’s discuss them through this blog and determine the best approach to proceed with dental implants.

What Causes Jawbone Deterioration?

There must be enough healthy bone beneath the empty tooth sockets to place dental implants in Newport News. The restoration is anchored into the jaw using a small metal fixture, similar to a screw. Without sufficient bone density, the fixture cannot be securely placed, compromising the stability of your smile. Here’s what can lead to jawbone loss. 

• Missing Teeth: Stimulation ceases when a tooth is lost, causing the bone to deteriorate. Over time, this can weaken the surrounding teeth, leading to further loss. 

• Gum Disease: Bacterial infections in the gum tissue can also contribute to jawbone erosion. It can erode the bone structure if left untreated, worsening the condition.

How Does Bone Loss Affect Implant Surgery?

When teeth are lost or extracted, the jawbone no longer receives stimulation, causing the bone to shrink and lose density. Since restorations rely on a stable foundation within the jaw, significant bone erosion can create challenges. However, modern advancements in dentistry have made it possible for individuals with low bone density to replace missing teeth successfully.

Popular Bone Restoration Procedures

Patients experiencing jawbone depletion now have several options to restore bone density and create a suitable foundation for dental restorations.

Bone Grafting

This is a procedure where new graft material is placed in areas of bone loss, regenerating and strengthening the jawbone. In bone graft procedures, the material typically is collected from the patient’s body, a donor, or synthetic sources. Over time, the graft integrates with the existing bone, increasing its density and stability. Once healing is complete, the area can support a dental prosthetic.

Zygomatic Restorations

For individuals with severe bone loss, zygomatic implants offer an alternative to grafting. This technique anchors the restoration in the zygoma bone near the cheekbone, which is denser than the jawbone. By bypassing the need for bone grafting, this restoration shortens the recovery time. If you want to receive your new artificial teeth more quickly, zygomatic implants prevent severe bone deterioration to ensure success.  

A lack of bone density doesn’t limit your eligibility to receive dental prosthetics. With advancements in bone grafting and zygomatic procedures, patients with bone loss can regain their complete smile. 

If you are concerned about whether you qualify for treatment, visit our dental implant clinic in Newport News, VA. At Covaney & Covaney, we will help you determine the best approach for your tooth replacement.