What to Do If You Have Been Told You Don’t Have Enough Bone for Dental Implants

The simple answer to this complex question is to try to get a second opinion. What is true in the eyes of one doctor may not be the case in the eyes of another doctor.

Every dentist brings their own perspective on how to help a patient. So, if you’re in Lake Elsinore and wondering how a dentist determines whether you have enough bone for an implant, keep in mind that it’s based on a combination of factors. A doctor’s education, experience, and understanding of your specific case all play a role, along with the treatment you’re seeking and whether it can be performed successfully.

Can you get dental implants if you have very little bone?

Just because a patient has been told previously that they do not have enough bone for dental implants, this should not preclude the patient from getting a second or a third consultation or treatment done. If your desire is to get the treatment and have a set of fixed teeth that will allow you to smile and eat without having to worry about dentures or removable teeth, it is quite likely that you have a lot of options to help you achieve your goal.

So, what is the best option for patients with insufficient bone mass to support a dental implant? There are several approaches:

1. Remote anchorage

This refers to being able to place dental implants in areas of the upper jaw (pterygoid, zygomatic, transnasal and trans-sinus) and attach fixed teeth to them. This is an advanced procedure that only a handful of doctors can perform well. When done properly, it can be truly life-changing for the patients seeking fixed teeth. 

So, if the doctor you first consulted told you that you don’t have enough bone and isn’t familiar with this life-changing procedure, seeing a specialist who is could give you the chance to get the treatment you need.

2. Sinus lifts

There are still patients who may not have enough bone in traditional implant sites and at remote anchorage sites. There aren’t a lot of those patients, but it’s important to understand that they still have options to have fixed teeth. For these patients, performing sinus lifts (grafting bone in the maxillary sinus area) allows for creation of strong bone that can be used for anchorage of dental implants.

3. Sub-periosteal implants

This is a highly customized solution for patients who have very limited bone volume in the upper and lower jaw for the placement of dental implants.  They may also have very limited bone in the remote anchorage sites, or the bone may be very porous and not allow for all on x type of procedure.  For these patients, highly customized, unique surgical hardware can be made in a lab.  This hardware will then be attached to the patient’s remaining jaw bone and then the fixed teeth can be attached to the hardware. Sub-periosteal implants were popular a number of years ago for this particular application.  It was thought that with the development of traditional dental implants, the need for sub-periosteal implants will go away.  However, in this particular case, the wisdom still holds true: “new things are simply old things that have been forgotten”.

If you’re still wondering, can you have a dental implant if you have bone loss—the answer is often yes. With modern techniques and the right specialist, many patients previously told they were ineligible for implants can still achieve a full, permanent smile.

In summary, if a dentist has told you that you lack the bone needed for dental implants, don’t lose hope. Seeking a second or third opinion could lead you to the life-changing treatment you desire.

Is there someone I can turn to for dental implant consultation in Lake Elsinore?

Look no further—Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery is here to help! Dr. Tsvetov will answer all your questions, from the types of dental implants available to how your health may impact the procedure and whether existing implants can be used for All-on-4. If you’re in Lake Elsinore or the surrounding areas, schedule your consultation today, and let’s find the solution that fits your needs!