Is Dental Implants Possible with Bone Loss?

A dental implant is one of the most popular ways to replace a missing tooth, and if properly cared for, it can last for up to 20 years. However, not everyone will be a suitable candidate to receive dental implants, so you will need to schedule a consultation with our dentist to make sure you are in good enough health.

If you have any untreated tooth decay or gum disease, it will need to be treated before you get the implant placed. And since the implant needs to bond with your jawbone, you should have sufficient enough bone mass to support the implant. One reason why some patients do not have adequate bone mass is because they waited too long between losing the tooth and getting the implant, so the bone has started to deteriorate.

In some circumstances, our dentist may be able to perform a bone grafting procedure. This is used to increase the height and width of the jawbone at the implant site. There is autogenous grafting, which is when bone is harvested from another part of your body and then supplanted into the jaw. But you can also get an alloplast, which is when your jawbone is strengthened using a synthetic bone substitute. You will need to talk to your dentist beforehand to make sure a bone grafting is right for you.