Dental implants are the ideal option for replacing teeth that have been lost to decay or physical damage. While these restorations provide the support necessary for long-term jaw health and a stable bite, they require a certain amount of jawbone volume in order to be properly integrated with surrounding tissue.
Many older individuals who are missing teeth have used traditional restorations for years, and have experienced a loss of jawbone volume as a result. For this reason, these patients may feel they are not eligible for dental implants. Our team at Eastvale Dental and Orthodontics has made this guide to explain how senior patients can qualify for implant placement, and what options are available to them.
Challenges for Dental Implants
Traditional restorations, while able to restore the appearance of the smile and balance to the bite, do not preserve the structure of the jaw. Without proper support, the bone begins the process of resorption, making restoration through implants difficult.
Can These Challenges be Overcome?
While bone loss from a lack of jaw stimulation presents significant barriers in qualifying for implants, there are pretreatments to help make patients ready for treatment. The upper jawbone, known as the maxilla can be augmented through the process known as a sinus lift. This involves moving the sinus membrane upward and using a graft to encourage bone growth to support implant placement. Bone grafts can also be performed on the lower jaw for those patients who have been missing teeth for an extended period of time.
Alternatives to Traditional Dental Implants
The idea of bone grafts may deter some patients from pursuing dental implants, regardless of the benefits they provide in the long term. Options such as the All-on-4 treatment concept from Nobel Biocare allows qualifying patients to receive dental implants without the need for preceding treatments. These implants are specially shaped to promote integration without having to bolster the shape of the bone before placement.
Modern dental treatments enable the vast majority of patients to qualify for dental implants, whether through pre-placement grafting procedures or the use of specialized implant posts.
To find out whether you qualify for dental implants and to schedule your exam and consultation with our practice, contact Eastvale Dental and Orthodontics today.