Dental Implants –
Insufficient Supporting Bone

Dental implants, surgically placed in the jawbone, replace lost tooth roots, supporting dental crowns. Successful implant surgery in San Diego hinges on Osseointegration — the fusion of implants with bone tissues. Evaluating jawbone volume is crucial for this process, ensuring optimal results.

Reasons for Insufficient Supporting Bone

There can be several reasons for having an insufficient supporting bone. Gum diseases, lost teeth, and trauma can all lead to bone loss. When a lost tooth is not replaced promptly, the bone loses stimulation and starts to shrink. When many teeth are missing, there can be severe jawbone loss, which can cause the facial muscles to sag. Learn more about implant-supported dentures and other dental implant options below!

Bone Grafting

There are different ways in which bone grafting can be done. Dentists mostly use biological materials to help stimulate the bone growth process. The following are some of the types of bone grafting procedures.

  • Socket Grafting: Socket grafting is done immediately after tooth extraction. This process involves filling the tooth socket with an appropriate material so that a dental implant can be placed on the site in the future.
  • Ridge Expansion: A ridge expansion is a process of increasing the length and width of the supporting bone using appropriate materials and procedures. There are different ways in which this can be performed. The replacement materials can be taken from other parts of the patient’s body or from external sources.
  • Sinus Lift: A sinus lift is a minor surgery performed when a dental implant has to be placed right below the sinus membrane. When there is bone loss in the area below the sinus membrane, the membrane may have to be lifted up and the area is filled with bone material that can support the tooth implant. This surgery can be performed by experienced local dentists or oral surgeons.

We are Here to Help

If you are facing any dental issues, contact Dr. Refhei at True Design Dentistry. He can recommend what form of dental treatment is right for you. Call us to learn more or to meet our experienced dentists located in San Diego.