Does Bone Density Affect Dental Implants?

This innovative treatment plan involves placing a small titanium implant in the jaw where it fuses with the bone and creates a solid anchor for a restoration such as a crown, bridge or even full denture. For a full denture, multiple dental implants are used.

Since dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone, there needs to be sufficient bone density to support the restoration. This means that not everyone is a suitable candidate for dental implants due to insufficient bone density.

While this can be disappointing to hear for some patients, new innovations in dental implant treatment could pave a way forward. If you’ve been told you aren’t a suitable candidate in the past, it could be worth revisiting treatment, as there may be a way around this.

In this article, we will explore the impact of bone density on dental implants and what options are available for those who do not have sufficient bone density.

What is bone density, and why is it important for dental implants?

Bone density is a measure of the strength and mass of bones. It is an important factor in dental implants because the implant must fuse with the bone in order for it to be successful. If there is not enough bone density, the implant may not fuse properly or may even fail altogether.

There are several factors that can affect bone density, including:

Age – Bone density usually peaks around age 30 and then begins to decline.

Gender – Women are more likely than men to have osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to low bone density.

Family history – If your parents or grandparents have had osteoporosis, you may be more likely to develop the condition.

Tooth loss – When there is a gap in your smile, your jawbone can shrink. The longer you have a gap, the more likely it is that you’ll experience a loss of jaw bone.

How can you determine your bone density?

Your dentist can determine your bone density through a simple test called a panoramic radiograph. This x-ray gives your dentist a clear view of your entire jaw and can help them to assess your suitability for dental implants.

This is a pain-free treatment that is completely non-invasive. It's an essential part of the dental implant treatment journey as it helps to give your dentist a complete view of your teeth and jaws.

This is often the first step in dental implant treatment, as it allows your dentist to understand the structures in your mouth. It can then be used to plan treatment. You’ll need to have a new X-ray carried out at the start of treatment, as your jaw bone could have changed a lot since the last images were taken.

What are the consequences of low bone density?

If you have low bone density, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot get dental implants. However, it does mean that you may need to undergo a different treatment plan in order to improve your chances of success.

You can either take steps to increase bone density, or you can change the treatment plan so that bone density isn't as much of a deciding factor. These treatments are quite new, so if you were told many years ago that you couldn’t have dental implants, it could be worth revisiting, as the treatment plans have changed a lot.

What are the options if you have insufficient bone density?

There are several options available if you have insufficient bone density:

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure where healthy bone tissue is taken from an artificial source, an animal source, a donor, or another area of your body and transplanted to the jaw. This can help to increase bone density and improve your chances of success with dental implants. Alongside bone from your own body (usually the hip), you can also have cadaver bone, artificial bone, or bone from an animal placed in your jaw to increase the density. Completing this treatment immediately after a tooth extraction can help to reduce the risk of a loss of bone density.

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that is performed to raise the sinus floor and add height to the jaw bone. This can be done at the same time as a bone graft, or it can be done as a separate procedure. Sinuses can fall following tooth loss as the tooth root is no longer providing support to the structure. If this happens, you might experience unexplained sinus pain.

Ridge Expansion

A ridge expansion is a surgical procedure that is performed to widen the jawbone. This is usually done in cases where there is not enough bone to support dental implants. This treatment would typically be required if you lost all of your teeth a while ago and have been wearing dentures in the meantime. Tooth loss can cause your jaw bone ridge to thin, as there is no longer pressure from your bite to stimulate the bone.

Zygomatic implants

Traditional dental implants are short and placed directly into the jawbone, like a natural tooth root. Zygomatic implants are longer and placed at an angle. This treatment is known as All-on-4 dental implants, or Same Day Teeth. These implants are placed at an angle and secure to the zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone.

This is one treatment option available if you decide not to have a bone graft. It is commonly used for full arch restorations. This treatment is very unique, as it allows us to place a load bearing implant on the same day. You then allow this heal while you are wearing it, so it can drastically speed up treatment times.

Next steps

If you have been putting off getting dental implants because you have been told you have insufficient bone density, get in touch with our team today. Arrange a free consultation to learn how we can place dental implants, even with low bone density.

We’ll start with an X-ray so we can see just how much bone loss you have suffered. From there, we can look at the options available, including bone grafting, or even an alternative treatment plan like All-On-4 dental implants.

Remember that treatment plans are advancing all the time, so dentists are often broadening the criteria for patients they can help. If you’ve been told you aren’t a candidate for this treatment in the past, it doesn’t mean that this will be the case today. Get in touch to learn more.