Osteoporosis is a very common condition that causes the bones to weaken gradually over time and is especially common in postmenopausal women.
In many cases, it can cause the jawbone to become very thin and brittle, making a person more likely to lose teeth over time.
Dental implants are often used to restore missing teeth because they are the only treatment that rebuilds the entire structure of the tooth, but to obtain them, a patient must have enough strong, healthy jawbone to support the prosthetic root. So, does having Osteoporosis mean that the patient is not automatically eligible for dental implants? The answer is in the rest of our article…
When determining whether you are a candidate for dental implants and creating your treatment plan, an important step in the process is a close examination of your jaw by the Implant specialist. Your dentist will use high-tech, precision imaging equipment to look closely at your jawbone and determine its density. These images will help the dentist decide whether your jaw will be suitable for dental implants and what interventions you may need. The dentist may also make bone grafts (bone powder) if necessary to build up your jawbone so that it can support dental implants. Bone grafts are obtained in a variety of ways. Grafts of human origin, animal origin or synthetically produced are produced in the form of powder or blocks with small particles. Bone grafts are used in the presence of insufficient bone in the area where dental implants will be made, in cases where implantation is desired in the same session with tooth extraction, in pre-implant sinus floor elevation operations or during extraction of teeth that cause chronic inflammation and cause bone loss by staying in the mouth for a long time. Thanks to the cells it contains and the substances necessary for bone formation and growth, it helps the area to heal faster and increases bone volume.
Dental implants and osteoporosis Dental implants must fuse with the bone under the gums. Some medications can delay this process.
If you have osteoporosis, you may already be on medication for the condition. A class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis known as bisphosphonates are commonly used to slow the progression of bone loss. While that may be good for you, these drugs also have an unfortunate side effect – they can hinder your bone’s ability to heal after surgery.
So, can a dental implant be made if there is osteoporosis?
In general, dental implants are a very successful type of surgery. Osteoporosis adds an additional layer of complexity to your treatment, but does not eliminate the possibility of successful dental implant surgery. The best way to ensure success is to let your dentist know about your condition, medical history, symptoms and medications.
Together, your dentist can weigh the pros and cons of dental implant surgery and create a treatment plan that is likely to result in successful dental implants. Don’t let a diagnosis of osteoporosis stop you from considering dental implants for dentures.
If you are interested in a tooth replacement, make an appointment to talk to your dentist as soon as possible.
