Can You Have Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?
Being told that you've lost bone around your teeth can make you assume dental implants are no longer an option.
That's not necessarily the case.
Quick answer
Some patients with reduced jawbone can still have dental implants, although additional treatment such as bone augmentation may be needed. Your suitability depends on how much bone is available, where it has been lost and your wider oral and general health.
At Saltford Dental, complex implant and bone-grafting cases are assessed by Specialist Oral Surgeon and Implantologist Dr Liliana Ruzzene.
Why does bone loss happen?
The jawbone responds to the presence and function of teeth.
Following tooth loss, changes to the bone can occur over time. Gum disease, infection, trauma and other factors can also contribute to bone loss.
Because an implant needs adequate support, the amount and quality of available bone forms an important part of implant planning.
What is bone grafting?
Bone augmentation procedures are used to rebuild or increase bone in areas where there isn't enough for predictable implant placement.
There isn't one single bone-grafting procedure suitable for everyone. The technique required depends on your anatomy and treatment needs.
Who assesses complex implant cases at Saltford Dental?
Dr Liliana Ruzzene is registered on the General Dental Council's Specialist List for Oral Surgery and has worked in implantology since 1990.
Her particular areas of expertise include complex bone grafting, dental implant reconstruction and aesthetically challenging cases.
This means patients with more complicated circumstances can have their situation properly assessed rather than assuming implants are impossible.
Will I need a scan?
Detailed imaging can be important when assessing the bone and surrounding anatomy.
Saltford Dental offers CBCT scans from £215, providing three-dimensional information that can assist with diagnosis and implant planning where clinically required.
Does bone grafting make implants more expensive?
Additional procedures can increase the overall cost of implant treatment, which is why an individual assessment is necessary before an accurate treatment plan can be provided.
Single dental implants at Saltford Dental start from £3,650, but your dentist will explain your individual costs before treatment begins.
What if another dentist has told me I can't have implants?
A previous opinion may be completely appropriate based on your circumstances, but complex cases can sometimes benefit from assessment by a clinician with advanced surgical experience.
An implant consultation at Saltford Dental costs £85.
If you've experienced bone loss or believe your case may be complicated, a consultation with Liliana can establish whether implant treatment is possible and what it would involve.
