Are You Out Of Luck If Your Jaw Is Too Weak For Dental Implants?
Getting dental implants can be life-changing for people who have missing teeth. Unfortunately, standard dental implants may not be a good fit for everyone. If you have weak bones, especially in your jaw, your dentist might say no to standard dental implants. However, don't worry just yet: you still have a dental implant option. Read on to discover why standard implants might not be a good choice for you and what type of implant can still work for your smile.
Why It Matters
It's important for your bones to be strong in order to get dental implants. This is because the bones help to support your dental implants.
Unlike other tooth replacement methods, implants go underneath the surface of your gums all the way down to the jaw bone. The gums support the implant, and so does the bone. If the bone is weak, thin, or brittle, it may not be able to either support or withstand the pressure of a standard dental implant. In this case, it could be dangerous for your bones to put a standard dental implant in, so rest assured that your dentist has a good reason for saying no to standard dental implants.
The Alternative
Thankfully, standard dental implants aren't the only option out there -- mini dental implants also exist.
Mini dental implants work the same way as standard dental implants, with the only real difference being that they're thinner, lighter, and smaller. They can support full-sized crowns just as well, but this makes them a great choice for people who have weaker bones or overcrowding issues with their teeth.
The process of getting mini implants is the same as standard implants, too. They're surgically inserted into the gum and down to the bone, and then a crown is mounted on top.
The Good News
The best part about all of this is that once you've gotten mini dental implants, your bones will gradually start to strengthen. The simple act of chewing moves pressure through the implant into the bone, where new bone cells are grown as a reaction. This means you may see a stronger jaw line and have more bone density in your jaw after using mini dental implants for a while.
Dental implants are a great way of restoring lost teeth and gaining some extra benefits along the way. If you don't qualify for standard dental implants, talk to your dentist about mini dental implants. You can contact dental professionals like those at the Orange Door Dental Group for more information.