The primary requirement for dental implant placement is adequate jaw bone mass. Adequate jaw bone mass is an absolute necessity since the dental implants are placed into the jaw bone. Placing dental implants, despite inadequate jaw bone mass will lead to dental implant failure. So does this mean that people with inadequate jaw bone cannot receive dental implants? In this blog, we are going to discuss if you can get dental implants despite jaw bone loss.
How does bone loss occur in jaw bones?
Jaw bone loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of jaw bone loss are
- Loss of one or more teeth
- Gum diseases
- Oral trauma
- Developmental defects
In most cases, people lose their jawbones after they lose one or more of their teeth. Have you heard of the old saying “What you don’t use, you lose”? The same concept applies to our jaw bone. When we lose one or more of our teeth, the underlying jaw bone gradually starts eroding. When we bite and chew food every day, our teeth indirectly stimulate the underlying jaw bone. This action happens constantly and keeps our jawbones healthy and alive. When the teeth above the jaw bone are lost, the constant stimulation is lost and thereby our body slowly absorbs the minerals from the unused jaw bone which eventually causes jaw bone loss. The only way to prevent jaw bone loss after a tooth loss is to replace it with a dental implant, as early as possible.
How to get Dental Implants despite jaw bone loss?
If you have a significant bone loss there are certain methods through which you can get dental implants.
Bone Grafting Procedures
Bone grafting procedures are basically bone transplant procedures that involve your dentist to take bone tissue from other body parts such as your chin or hip and place it in your mouth. Bone grafting can also be done using artificial materials. The bone graft is placed in a deficient place and is allowed to heal. Once the bone graft has completely healed and has fused with the jaw bone to create adequate jaw bone volume, dental implants can then be placed over it.
Zygomatic Implants
Zygomatic Implants are another treatment option for people who have severe jaw bone loss. In this procedure, the implants are placed in the zygoma bone or the cheekbone. Since the zygoma bones are quite strong and rigid in structure, they can easily accommodate the implants. Zygomatic Implants also eliminate the need to get bone grafting procedures. This is by far the most popular implant type used for people with very little bone volume in their jaw.
Trefoil Implants
This is another dental implant solution for people who have severe lower jaw bone loss. Trefoil dental implants have a pre-manufactured frame that is designed to fit the natural arch of the lower jaw. Trefoil Implants’ unique design allows for greater stability. Additionally, the pre-manufactured titanium bar of the trefoil implants allows for definitive teeth on the same day of the implant surgery.