Dental implants are often the go-to solution for patients with missing teeth who want a permanent solution to restore their smile. However, patients suffering from periodontal disease may worry their severe bone loss will mean they can’t have these tooth replacements.
Jawbone Density Loss
Because of periodontal disease, many people suffer from severe bone loss in the area underneath the gum line. This loss can cause serious health issues and affect a person’s quality of life. Patients with jawbone density loss often experience eating issues, which can lead to malnutrition and poor overall health.
Thankfully, there are various advanced techniques that allow people with jawbone density loss to have tooth replacements. For people who can’t naturally support a dental implant, methods such as bone grafting, All-On-4® implants and sinus lift may be used.
Bone Grafting
In some instances, even if you have lost all your teeth and noticed your cheeks have sunk inward, you may not require a bone graft to support your implants. It’s essential to have an initial consultation with your local dentist to discuss whether a bone graft is needed to place your restorations.
The dentist will take 3D images of your mouth and jawbone to verify if there is sufficient surface area and density to support dental implants. We will only choose the bone graft procedure if there is not enough support to place the restorations.
A bone graft provides additional mass to secure implants in place and regenerate the jawbone. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, and synthetic bone is placed under the gum. It takes about four months for the bone to fuse together before the procedure can begin.
All-On-4
For those with insufficient jawbone density, All-On-4 dental implants is another alternative. The four implants will be placed at the front area of the jawbone, as this bone is naturally denser. When done properly, the full implant can be placed over the four implant posts.
Sinus Lifting
This is a type of bone graft placed in the upper jaw. The sinus is surgically lifted, and synthetic bone is placed in the top jaw area to support the implant. This procedure is done in the office and has a high success rate compared to other options.
Schedule An Appointment
Visit our practice to speak with our dentist about what you can do to prepare for implants. Contact Cure Dental today!
Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.