Tired of wearing a conventional removable denture? Maybe you’ve considered dental implants in the past but haven’t been confident that your jawbone is strong enough to hold them?
Dental implants in Norwich require a solid foundation, but why is bone health and density crucial to the success of a dental implant and can you receive implants if your bone isn’t dense enough?
Continue reading for a detailed exploration of the relationship between dental implants and bone health.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing or damaged teeth that can also be used to improve facial structure. Whether you need a single tooth implant or replacement teeth for an entire arch, dental implants in Sidcup are a transformative treatment that can enhance your smile and restore your bite.
A fully qualified implant surgeon will complete your dental implant surgery, which involves inserting enduring titanium tooth roots into your jawbone.
During a process called osseointegration, the metal roots will fuse to your jaw, creating a solid base for a replacement tooth or teeth.
Temporary crowns or bridges that appear like natural teeth will be attached to the abutment, which will then be replaced by a permanent fitting a few months later.
What is bone density and why is it important when it comes to dental implants?
Bone density refers to the mass and strength of your bones – in this specific scenario, it’s your jawbone’s density that’s significant. As dental implants require a strong and sturdy foundation to anchor into, bone health and density are vital factors when assessing a patient’s suitability for treatment.
If your jawbone isn’t dense enough, your dental implants in Sidcup may fail as they can’t fuse to the bone properly.
As we age, our bone density naturally reduces, but other factors may cause it to diminish, such as a missing tooth or teeth, hormonal imbalances, malnutrition, and osteoporosis.
Dental implants and osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes your bones, including your jawbone, to become less dense and brittle, leading to weakness. As it causes reduced bone density, osteoporosis can sometimes lead to unstable dental implants and implant failure, infection, and reduced biting function.
However, if you currently suffer from this condition, but want dental implant treatment, you’ll be happy to know that you can often still receive dental implants and gain the smile you’ve always desired.
This is thanks to a few options that are available to you, which we’ll discuss next.
Options for patients with low bone density
During a consultation for dental implants in Norwich, a dental specialist will examine you to determine whether you have sufficient bone in your jaw. If they deem that you don’t have adequate bone density to securely hold your implants, they could suggest the following treatments to boost the health of your jawbone.
Bone grafting
One of the methods dentists use to create a sturdy and healthy foundation for your implants is bone grafting. Typically used in the lower jaw, bone grafts tackle bone loss by using bone materials from other areas of your body to add volume and density to the jaw.
Sinus lifts
Used to boost density in the upper jawbone (maxillary), a sinus lift involves using a bone graft between the membrane of your sinuses and the upper jaw.
Low bone density? No problem!
Ultimately, whilst implants require a strong and healthy jawbone, there are treatments available to help those currently suffering from low bone density. This means almost everyone who desires dental implants in Sidcup or Norwich can have them.
Of course, you should always consult with your dental specialist for more personalised guidance and expert advice.