The Wisdom Teeth Guru is a trusted dentist in Huntington Beach, CA, experienced in placing dental implants even for patients who have some jawbone loss. You know, a lot of people worry that missing bone automatically rules them out for implants. The short answer? You can still have options, not exactly like someone with a full jawbone, but options exist.
The long answer is a bit more involved. It involves understanding why bone loss occurs and the techniques your dentist can use to work around it or rebuild it before placing the implant. It’s kind of like repairing the foundation before putting up a new house.
Why Bone Loss Happens
Your jawbone stays strong because your tooth roots give it a workout every time you chew. When a tooth is gone, that stimulation disappears, and over time, the bone shrinks in a process called resorption. It’s slow but noticeable if a tooth has been missing for years.
Other factors can make it worse, such as gum disease, aging, certain health conditions, or even wearing dentures for too long. The longer the tooth has been missing, the more likely there is to be some bone loss in that spot.
How Bone Loss Affects Implant Placement
Dental implants need a solid foundation to hold up. The titanium post is anchored straight into the jawbone, so if the bone isn’t thick or strong enough, the implant won’t stay stable. Sometimes the bone is too soft, too thin, or just in the wrong shape for a standard implant.
That doesn’t mean implants are off the table. New dental techniques have made it possible to rebuild the bone or work around the areas with less support. So even if your jaw isn’t perfect, there might still be a way to get implants.
Bone Grafting as a Solution
Bone grafting is one of the more common ways to deal with missing bone. The dentist places bone material in the spot that needs it, and over time, your body grows new bone there. The material can come from your own body, a donor, or a synthetic source, depending on what your dentist recommends.
Healing usually takes a few months because the bone needs to integrate fully before an implant can go in. It does add time to the overall process, but it opens the door for people who might otherwise be told implants aren’t possible. If you’ve been told no before, it’s definitely worth a second opinion.
Alternative Implant Techniques
Not every case requires bone grafting. There are other options, like zygomatic implants that anchor into the cheekbone instead of the upper jaw, or shorter and narrower implants designed for patients with limited bone. Dentists can also tilt implants to make use of the available bone or perform a sinus lift to add bone beneath the sinus for upper jaw placements.
Which approach works best really depends on where the bone loss is and how much you have left. Dentists usually use X-rays or CT scans to get the full picture and develop a custom plan for each patient.
What to Do Next
If bone loss has been stopping you from thinking about implants, know that modern techniques have changed a lot. Plenty of patients who were told “no” are now getting implants after bone grafts or alternative placements. It’s encouraging to know there are more options than most people realize.
When choosing a provider, check reviews or third-party profiles so you know your dentist is qualified and experienced with these techniques. It makes a difference, and you can feel more confident going into the procedure.
Ready to see where you stand? Get dental implants in Huntington Beach with The Wisdom Teeth Guru. Call (714) 542-8888 to schedule a consultation and see what’s possible for you.
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