Dental implants in Farragut are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth and restore the health and look of your smile.
However, if you've been researching dental implants, you likely found out these prosthetic teeth aren’t for everyone. One major condition to be considered a good candidate for dental implants is to have enough bone mass to support it.
But if you’ve experienced some bone loss, could you still be able to get an implant?
Keep reading to find out!
How Do Dental Implants Work and Why Do They Need More Bone Mass?
Dental implants mimic the structure of a natural tooth and are made from 3 elements:
- Metal post
- Abutment
- Dental crown
The metal post gets inserted into the jaw, after which the abutment and crown are attached on top, finishing the reconstruction.
The metal post is essentially the new root, which needs to be held in place to support the rest of the implant. But, for the metal post to do its job, it needs sufficient jaw bone mass to be fully submerged. Not only that, but it needs a healthy bone in order for the surgery to heal properly, and for the jaw bone and post to fuse.
Why Is Jaw Bone Mass Lost?
If you’ve been dealing with missing teeth for a long time, then you are likely dealing with bone loss. The natural tooth root helps stimulate the jaw every time you chew, bridging essential nutrients to this area.
But when a permanent tooth is lost, that stimulation is effectively gone. Over time, this part of the jaw doesn’t receive the nutrients it needs, and begins to wither, leading to bone loss.
Can You Still Get Dental Implants with Bone Loss?
In some cases, it may be possible to still get implants even if you are dealing with bone loss.
Two types of procedures can be used to increase the amount of bone available:
- Sinus lift - It’s only done for implants that go on the upper arch. The procedure involves increasing jaw bone mass by raising the lining of the sinuses to reveal more space;
- Bone grafts - It involves adding a piece of bone to a specific area to restore its mass. The bone may come from the patient, a donor, or it can be artificial bone.
However, you should know that these procedures can delay your dental implant timeline a lot, as the implant can only be inserted after you’ve fully healed from these surgeries.
Interested in Dental Implants? We Can Help!
Dr. Luis and Dr. Tori Mariusso can help you find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, and restore your oral health!
To get started, book a dental implant consultation at Confident Smiles & Implants, or call us at (865) 248 2312 today to find out more about how we can help!
