Can I Get a Single Implant If I've Had Bone Loss?
Bone loss in the jaw is common after tooth loss. Here is what it means for implant candidacy.
Yes, you can often still get a dental implant even with bone loss β but you may need additional procedures to build up the bone first.
Options for implants with bone loss:
- Bone grafting β the most common solution. Bone material (from your own body, a donor, or synthetic) is placed in the area to rebuild the bone so it can support an implant. This adds 3β6 months of healing time before the implant can be placed
- Short implants β specially designed implants that are shorter than standard ones, used when there is limited vertical bone height
- Narrow diameter implants β thinner implants for areas where the jawbone has narrowed
- Sinus lift β for the upper back jaw (molar area), where the sinus cavity may have expanded into the space left by missing teeth. This procedure lifts the sinus floor and adds bone graft material
- Zygomatic or pterygoid implants β longer implants that anchor into the cheekbone (zygomatic) or palate bone (pterygoid), bypassing the need for bone grafting in the upper jaw
- At least 2β3 mm of bone on each side of the implant
- At least 8β10 mm of bone height for a standard implant
- Your dentist will measure your bone with a CT scan to determine the best approach