Can I have a dental implant if I don't have enough bone?
In short
Yes, in most cases an implant can be placed even when there is little bone. First, a 3D CT scan shows how much bone there is; then, if necessary, it is rebuilt with bone regeneration (bone grafting) or a sinus lift, or solutions are chosen that make the most of the bone available.
Why bone is lost
When a tooth is lost, the bone that supported it no longer receives the stimulus of chewing and is slowly reabsorbed. The more time passes, the more it shrinks in height and width. Periodontitis and wearing a removable denture for a long time can also contribute.
This is why the first step is always an accurate diagnosis. With a three-dimensional CT scan (CBCT), the dentist measures how much bone there is and where delicate structures such as nerves and the maxillary sinus are located.
Dental implant with little bone: the possible solutions
Depending on how much bone is missing and where, there are several options:
- Guided bone regeneration: bone graft material is added to the deficient area and protected by a membrane.
- Sinus lift: in the back of the upper jaw, space is created for the implant by lifting the sinus membrane and adding bone graft material, through a lateral or crestal approach.
- Solutions that use the existing bone: in some cases the position and angle of the implants are planned to avoid complex reconstruction.
- Zygomatic implants: reserved for cases of very severe bone loss in the upper jaw.
What is bone regeneration (bone grafting)?
It is a set of techniques used to rebuild the volume of bone needed to support an implant. The material used can be the patient's own bone, usually taken from another area of the mouth, or a bone substitute of animal or synthetic origin.
This material acts as a scaffold and guides the body to form new bone. In some cases regeneration is carried out at the same time as the implant is placed, in others in a separate procedure beforehand: in that case the overall treatment takes a few months longer.
Digital planning helps choose the least invasive option for each situation. You will find more information on our page about dental implantology and in our article on when to have an implant and how it works.
The first step is an assessment
If you have been told you do not have enough bone, an assessment with three-dimensional scans can clarify which options you really have. You can book one at our clinic in Via Cesare Pavese 135, Rome EUR.
