Dental implants are artificial tooth roots serving as a foundation for dental prostheses like crowns or fixed dentures. Most modern dental implants are placed into the sockets of the lost tooth, and like a natural root, it must bear and transfer weight to the bone surrounding the socket. However, in order for this bear and transfer to occur, the implant must be fixed deeply into the bone. This requirement is problematic for patients with low bone density. Over the past five decades, dentists and the dental materials industry have implemented innovation to come up with more oral surgery options for patients with low bone density.

Bone grafting

Bone grafting procedures involve getting donor bone from the denser cheekbone, another part of the mouth, or donor materials. The harvested bone is used to rebuild the bone in the area where the implant is to be put. However, bone grafting prolongs the treatment procedure because the zygomatic implant needs more time to grow. In the instance of morbidity of the zygomatic implant, the dentist needs to repeat the procedure. Nonetheless, advancements in technology and surgical procedures have reduced morbidity significantly.

Sinus lifting

Sinus lifting involves separating the membrane from the floor of the maxillary sinus above the upper jaw to insert a bone graft. As an invasive bone augmentation procedure, sinus lifting can lead to longer treatment time, longer healing period, and other complication. However, modern treatments have developed to minimize such problems and complications.

Titanium Screws

A less invasive procedure is using titanium screws to serve as a strong anchor for the false teeth. Because the screws are made of titanium, they are highly compatible with human bodies and may even encourage bone growth. Hence, titanium dental screws do not only provide an anchor to the dental implant or crown, they also keep the jaw bone strong and healthy.

Bone density significantly reduces in patients who have few or no natural teeth. This is why low bone density is often observed among patients who have worn traditional dentures for a long time. Oftentimes, periodontal infections in their severe stages can also reduce bone density. Once these patients decide to get dental implants, it can be problematic because dental implants need to be fixed to the jaw bone. Even so, patients with low bone density can still get oral surgery through bone grafting, sinus lifting, and titanium screws. Each of these options can help the jaw bone satisfy the bear and transfer weight requirement for the teeth dentures to successfully be incorporated into the mouth.