An implant is a small screw that is inserted inside the jawbone, replacing the root of the tooth.
It is a highly demanded treatment in society, hence one of the most frequently asked questions is whether it is possible to place dental implants with little bone.
Implant surgery in patients who do not have sufficient bone mass requires a previous intervention: bone grafting or sinus elevation.
In this article, we explain in detail why this step is necessary and how it is performed.
How can I get dental implants with little bone?
Before getting into the subject at hand, it is necessary to clarify some aspects.
Although they may tell you that it is not advisable to place dental implants with little bone, there is a method.
There are short implants for cases in which the patient has little bone surface.
If it is not possible to insert this type of screw, it would be necessary to restore the dental bone.
When a person loses a tooth and does not replace it, with the passage of time the bone in the affected area will diminish.
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This complicates the subsequent placement of a dental implant because the support of the screw has been substantially reduced.
To solve this type of complication prior to surgery, many times inadequate techniques have been used that directly affect the patient’s quality of life.
We are talking about the placement of implants with an improper inclination, in areas that are not entirely correct or placing fewer screws than necessary.
Titanium screw
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DENTAL IMPLANTS WITH LITTLE BONE
All these solutions are far from ideal because, in the medium or long term, they end up affecting the durability and effectiveness of the implant solution.
Logic, therefore, tells us that it is necessary to regenerate the patient’s bone before proceeding to insert the dental implant.
In this way, the titanium pin that acts as the root of the tooth will have the necessary surface to support itself.
To recover this dental bone, it is necessary to perform a bone graft or a sinus lift.
How do I know if I need a bone graft?
Knowing whether or not a person needs a bone graft is very simple.
All you have to do is go to a dental clinic where the implantologist will perform a series of tests to help determine if you have little bone.
Panoramic X-rays and a 3D dental CAT scan are necessary.
Once he has ascertained that the patient needs a bone graft, he proceeds to perform the procedure.
Patients who need dental implants with little bone previously undergo a bone grafting or sinus lift operation.
Bone regeneration consists of increasing the amount of maxillary bone where the implant will later be placed.
To do this, the dentist uses a material called Bio-oss, composed of calcium hydroxyapatite.
After the professional inserts the substance inside the jawbone, it takes about 4 months for it to integrate.
Once this process is completed, the dental implant can be placed.
Implant surgery can be performed by immediate loading or in the traditional way, depending on the patient.
Thanks to immediate loading, the waiting time between the implant and the crown is substantially reduced.
Placement of a dental implant
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PLACEMENT OF AN IMPLANT
When is sinus lift indicated?
The maxillary sinuses are two cavities located on both sides of the face.
Like bone grafting, sinus lift is intended to allow the placement of dental implants with little bone.
However, it is a surgery that cannot be performed in all parts of the oral cavity.
Specifically, it is intended to be performed only in the anterior maxilla.
Avoid complications
To ensure the durability of the implant, use these techniques to increase the amount of bone so that you will not have a problem in the long term.
In other words, it is only possible to increase the amount of bone through this technique in premolars and upper molars.
The procedure consists of vertically increasing the bone surface available to insert the dental implant.
Using local anesthesia, the dentist accesses the sinus to incorporate artificial bone, a material formed by calcium hydroxyapatite.
After 6 months, the substance will have finished integrating completely with the person’s natural bone, and the implant surgery can then proceed.
Benefits of dental implants
The advantages that implants bring to a patient are so great that it is worthwhile to use techniques such as bone grafting.
This provides a larger support surface for the titanium screw.
The implant not only restores the esthetics of the smile if the person has lost a tooth, but also allows the functionality of the bite to be restored.
Here are the main benefits of dental implants:
It is a permanent solution for missing teeth.
Its natural appearance means that you do not notice any esthetic differences with respect to real teeth.
No difference from the real tooth can be seen
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THE CROWN IS VERY ESTHETIC
It is a surgery with a 98% probability of success, being very rare that there is a case of rejection of an implant.
Unlike dental bridges, an implant does not require the grinding of any natural tooth, so it does not damage the rest of the teeth.
The lack of teeth causes bone loss, but the screw acts as a root, thus avoiding the reabsorption of the dental bone mass.
The hygiene of dental implants does not differ from that of the rest of the teeth, since it is not necessary to remove it for cleaning.
The quality/price ratio makes the implant a very profitable treatment for the patient due to its durability, comfort and esthetics.
As you have seen, each person has specific needs.
For those who require it, dental bone grafting or sinus lift are two completely valid and functional solutions.
