Q&A: tooth bone loss...dental implant?

I have some bone loss on the front part of my bottom gum. There are three bottom teeth in the spot everywhere the gum disease is occurring, but only one of the teeth is hurting, and it is a tad loose. I have an appt. with the dentist, but not for another month, and I’m wondering if there is anyone out there who has had this type of conundrum who has had success in getting a dental implant. What I mean is, if they have to pull the tooth, (and I’m honestly sure they will) do you reckon an implant would be successful, or am I hoping against hope since I have extensive bone loss in that particular area?
Oh, and I also have diabetes…will that make me a “terrible” candidate for an implant?

Answer by Tani
Only your dentist can tell you that. When I had an implant for two back teeth some being ago, the dentist place in some powder to encourage bone growth and it was all right. Being after that, one of the crowns on the two implants became wiggly, and I had an operation–very expensive–by an oral surgeon, who grafted some bone along the gum live. It didn’t help at all, but the original dentist thought up a different way to keep by the implant anyway. You’ll never know in anticipation of you question a specialist.

Answer by Nick
Though dental implants are gaining popularity and are usually successful and last longer, your dentist is the best person to evaluate your position.

And yes, unfortunately, you being diabetic makes you a “terrible” candidate for any surgical operation.

Answer by Jodi B
Depending on the level of your bone loss you may or may not be a candidate. In order for an implant to be successful you have to have adequate levels of bone to hold it in. Bone grafting is sometimes done. If you have bone loss from periodontal disease you need to be committed to a strict regime of excellent hygiene especially flossing or else your implant will most liable fail. Unfortunately with out seeing xrays it’s impossible to tell. But if you are committed to this and willing to spend the money and time that an implant will cost you then you may very well have this as an option. As far as your diabetes as long as it’s well managed and you are stable with no other serious medical situation this should not be a factor. Excellent luck.

Answer by Bill
First of all the tooth may not have to be removed. If the bone loss can be stemmed then there’s a excellent chance they may be able to save the tooth. You will need to seek out a specialist such as a perodontist. Don’t let a general dentist mess with it. You wouldn’t let your family doctor do heart surgery. Just let your regular dentist refer you.

I have had the bone graft surgery and then a couple implants.
The first implant failed after apprx. 6 months. The perodontist replaced the implant and it’s been about 4-5 being and it’s fine. The implant and crown were replaced free of charge. The pero guarantees all his implants against any problems in the first year. They take out an insurance policy. He’s basically a surgeon that specializes in implants. He does lots of them and he’s excellent.
The other implant was also done with a bone graft and it was fine. That one has been in for about three being. I don’t expect to have any problems down the road. From what I’ve read if an implant is going to fail it will fail within the first six months. Mine are perfect, I can’t tell them from my regular teeth. Be advised, they are expensive. About 3k a piece with crown. Since you will need the bone graft surgery it’s about another 2k.

Being a diabetic will lower the success rate some but I don’t reckon it should discourage you.
Find a implant specialist and see what they recommend. Find out what his success rate is with diabetics. If you can’t have the implant done find out what your other options are, bridge, etc.

Excellent Luck

What do you reckon? Answer below!
See the original post:
3i dental implant

Hi, I’m asking for a friend who lost a tooth 10 being ago. The spot remained vacant during the 10 being. Possibly as a result of that, the underlying bone at that spot became rather loose.

She went for a tooth implant recently and the tooth did not stay due to loose foundation. She is now going back for bone graft, wait for 4 – 6 months and then retry implantation.

Here are some of her and my questions. Thanks a lot:

Is bone graft for dental implantation safe? Is it an effective procedure? (effective as in restoring a tooth for cosmesis and function long term)

What’s the success rate like in general? (is it liable that graft will take, grow, and allows for successful implanatation a few months later?)

Is it a common operation done these days? Are there better alternatives than grafting and then implant?

Overall is it a huge operation?

Thanks very much.

Answer by PenPress
This will give you an overview of bone grafting for implants :

http://www.implantoralsurgeons.com/oral-surgery-lansdale-pa/bone-grafting.html

This will give you an thought of the implant placement :

http://www.optiopublishing.com/media/?language=english&loadmodule=missingtooth_implantcemented&pid=od2&id=7a87c06004b853e221db790bb6cc67ed

http://www.optiopublishing.com/media/?language=english&loadmodule=missingtooth_implantfixed&pid=od2&id=7a87c06004b853e221db790bb6cc67ed

Now, to answer your questions :

1. Bone grafting fr dental implant placement is safe.

Yes, it is an effective procedure ( both for restoring cosmetics and function ).

2. The success rate is at least 90 – 95%

Couple of things that reduces the success rate though; e.g.,

a) Age

b) Osteoporosis

c) Smoking

d) Abandoned Diabetes Mellitus

e) Any unfilled infection in the area (even of an adjacent tooth) or systemic infection

f) Any autoimmune condition

3. It is more common than it was 10 being ago !!

Take it or leave it, ridge augmentation with bone grafting followed by the placement of the implant supported crown is the best option that you can have.

That is why it is the most expensive procedure, of course.

4. It is more involved than any other procedure, but this is also done under local anesthesia only.

The only difference is that the area and instruments have to be ABSOLUTELY sterile (germ free).

Therefore, you will see that the schooling will take up a lot of time and will seem cumbersome….but that is just the standard procedure.

The operation (if you want to call it so) will not be too lengthy.

Excellent luck !!

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